Turkey-US working group meets in Ankara

The Turkey-U.S. Joint Working Group met on Friday in Ankara to discuss "judicial and legal issues" according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

"Turkish and American officials from all relevant ministries and departments came together and held substantial discussions on judicial and legal matters important to both sides," the Turkish Foreign Ministry said.

The ministry said progress was expected on issues discussed during the joint working group meeting.

Following a visit by former U.S. Secretary of State RexTillerson to Ankara in February, Turkey and the U.S. established a mechanism to address separate issues in working groups, including the stabilization of Manbij, a northern Syrian city, and to prevent undesirable clashes.

The Fetullah Terror Organization (FETÖ), visa issues and jailed US citizens in Turkey were among major topics discussed in working groups.

The first working group was held on March 8, in which the main principles of potential cooperation of Turkey and the U.S. were termed "constructive".