ISTANBUL: Turkey’s president says a “fresh page” in Turkish-American relations can be opened with US President Donald Trump’s administration, as high-level dialogue has intensified since January.
Speaking in Istanbul Friday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he sees “signs that Mr. Trump will exhibit a more decisive stance than the previous administration in terms of combatting terror.”
Erdogan repeated his criticism of the US alliance with Syrian Kurdish militias that Turkey deems “terrorists.”
He says that giving the Kurds concrete support “is damaging the spirit of alliance and partnership.”
Erdogan adds: “Now Turkey, the Free Syrian Army, along with the coalition led by America, can clear these 2,500-5,000 terrorists. It’s not difficult for us and we would succeed.”
Erdogan and Trump are scheduled to meet on May 16 in Washington.
Erdogan: “Fresh page” for US relations with Trump
Erdogan: “Fresh page” for US relations with Trump
Norway crown princess apologizes to king and queen over Epstein friendship
- “I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in” Mette-Marit said
- She previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment
OSLO: Norway’s Crown Princess Mette-Marit apologized again on Friday for her friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, one of several scandals to hit the Nordic country’s monarchy.
“I also apologize for the situation that I have put the royal family in, especially the King and Queen,” Mette-Marit said in a statement released by the royal palace.
New files related to Epstein published by the US Justice Department last week included extensive email correspondence between Mette-Marit and Epstein after he was found guilty of child sex crimes in 2008.
Mette-Marit, the spouse of Harald’s son Crown Prince Haakon, the heir to the throne, previously apologized for maintaining contacts, saying she displayed poor judgment.
Norway’s prime minister on Monday said that Mette-Marit, and other prominent Norwegians who were named in the latest Epstein documents published, should provide more details about their involvement with Epstein.
Norway’s royal family is already dealing with several challenges. Marius, Mette-Marit’s son from a relationship predating her marriage to Crown Prince Haakon, is currently on trial for rape and domestic violence.
