White House

It is quite difficult for foreign diplomats to make comments about affairs in the country where they are assigned. Indeed, under the diplomatic code of conduct such comments can even be cited as justification for a diplomat being declared persona non grata. Still, there are some issues that transcend all limitations, boundaries and conditions.

US President Barack Obama hosted a celebration in honor of Greek Independence day at the White House on April 4.

In his speech, US president welcomed the Greeks Americans attended the event and he talked about the relations between two friends, US and Greece, while praising Greeks for their strength.

Shortly after the U.S. President Barack Obama told reporters that he informed Turkish President Tayyip Erdo?an that the Turkish government's "approach toward the press is one that could lead Turkey down a path that would be very troubling," Erdo?an said the issue did not come up during their 50-minute one-on-one meet on March 31, in Washington D.C.

U.S. President Barack Obama raised April 1 criticism over press freedom in Turkey, saying that he had expressed these sentiments directly to President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an.

"It's no secret that there are some trends within Turkey that I have been troubled with," Obama said, when asked whether he considers the Turkish leader an authoritarian.

The west has seen a spite of deadly attacks on its cities by either Islamist groups like ISIS (Paris, Brussels), or lone terrorists inspired by ISIS like the one in San Bernardino in the US.

During the much anticipated meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, the leaders' main focus was on upgrading the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in the aftermath of deadly attacks in Turkey and Belgium. 

U.S. President Barack Obama on March 31 reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Turkey's security during a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, while also discussing both countries' efforts to fight the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the White House said. 

The White House on March 31 indicated Syrian President Bashar al-Assad should not be part of any transitional unity government, echoing views from regime opponents inside the war-shattered country.
 

The fight against terror will top Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an's agenda during a continuing visit to Washington, where he held talks with U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry before an anticipated informal meeting with President Barack Obama on April 1. 

U.S. President Barack Obama will hold informal talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an in Washington this week, the White House said on March 29, dismissing suggestions that the lack of a formal meeting represented a snub to Ankara.