After Munich, the head of American diplomacy goes to Turkey

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken upon his arrival in Munich, February 17, 2023. AP - Petr David Josek

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After the Munich Conference in Germany, the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, arrives on Sunday February 19 in the east of Turkey where, with Syria, the earthquake of February 6 caused the death of more than 41 000 people and left hundreds of thousands homeless.

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With our correspondent in the United States,

Thomas Harms

Relations between Turkey and the United States have been turbulent for several years, but Washington hopes to smooth things over with this NATO member.

Antony Blinken must land on the air base of İncirlik, through which the Americans are transiting their humanitarian aid.

Since February 6, 200 rescue workers have been deployed to help find survivors.

About 85 million dollars have been released and military helicopters have also been sent to bring food to the victims.

This visit to Turkey, planned well before the

February 6 earthquake

, is Antony Blinken's first after more than two years at the head of American diplomacy.

In the past, Joe Biden had compared the Turkish president to an autocrat, and promised to distance himself from this ally of Moscow.

But the war against Ukraine has changed the situation and Washington now sees Ankara as a useful mediator between kyiv and the Kremlin.

Turkey notably facilitated an agreement for the passage of Ukrainian cereals through the Black Sea, thus reducing the global shortage.

Washington even backed the

Turkish request to buy F-16 fighter jets

, but the sale is blocked by Congress due to human rights concerns in Turkey and threats against Greece.

Tensions with Ankara will also be on the menu of discussions in Athens where Antony Blinken is expected on Monday.

► To read also: In the Middle East, Antony Blinken calls on Israelis and Palestinians not to "stir up tensions"

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  • UNITED STATES

  • Diplomacy

  • NATO

  • Turkey

  • Earthquake

  • Natural disasters