US' Biden to visit Turkey later this month

WASHINGTON

Vice President Joe Biden will meet senior Turkish officials later this month in Turkey, the White House announced Saturday.

“While in Ankara, the vice president will meet with President Erdogan and Prime Minister Yildirim to discuss the U.S.-Turkey relationship and a range of issues of importance to both nations,” it said in a statement.

Biden will also visit Riga, Latvia and Stockholm, Sweden on his Aug. 22-25 tour.

His visit comes amid strained relations between the NATO allies following the July 15 failed coup bid in Turkey.

Ankara accuses U.S.-based cleric Fetullah Gulen of masterminding the plot, and is actively seeking his extradition.

Biden will be the most senior U.S. official to visit Turkey since the defeated putsch.

Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman, Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, visited the country Aug. 1.