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The United States ambassador to Ankara described Türkiye as "so important" for regional stability in the Middle East on Tuesday, expressing optimism about this week's meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Donald Trump.
"I'm very hopeful. It's a great sign," Tom Barrack told state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) outside the U.N. Headquarters in New York, where world leaders are gathering for the 80th session of the General Assembly.
The ambassador praised the upcoming summit scheduled for Thursday in Washington, D.C., calling it an opportunity for "two great countries, two great leaders."
"I think it gives President Erdogan the relevance and stature that he deserves," Barrack said, predicting the leaders will have "a great conversation."
The ambassador emphasized the strategic partnership between the two NATO allies, stating, "The two countries have so much in common. Türkiye is so important for regional stability throughout the Middle East."
Erdogan, who addressed the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday, will travel to Washington for talks with Trump on Thursday. The leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, and defense industry matters.
In separate remarks to reporters on the sidelines of the U.N. meetings, Barrack, who also serves as U.S. special envoy for Syria, revealed that Syria and Israel are close to reaching a "de-escalation" agreement.
The proposed agreement would see Israel halt its attacks while Syria would commit to not moving any machinery or heavy equipment near the Israeli border, according to Barrack.
"I think everybody is approaching it in good faith," Barrack said, noting this would be the first step toward a broader security deal between the two countries.
U.S. President Trump has sought to announce an agreement between Syria and Israel this week, but progress has been insufficient and the Rosh Hashana holiday has slowed the process, Barrack explained.
Israel and Syria have remained adversaries for decades. Despite the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad last December, territorial disputes and political mistrust persist between the two nations.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said last week that Israel has conducted more than 1,000 strikes on Syria and carried out over 400 ground incursions since then.
Speaking at an event in New York shortly before Barrack's comments, Sharaa, who led rebel forces that overthrew Assad's government last year, expressed concerns about Israel's intentions.
"We are scared of Israel. We are worried about Israel. It's not the other way around," Sharaa said.
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