The United States (US) is ready to work with Türkiye on rebuilding war-torn Syria, a senior US Treasury official said Thursday, highlighting President Donald Trump's support for joint reconstruction efforts led by Türkiye and Gulf nations.
US Treasury Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John Hurley arrived in Ankara after visits to Israel and the United Arab Emirates for talks on financial coordination, counterterrorism, and regional stability.
"We collaborate and cooperate with Türkiye in so many ways," Hurley told Anadolu in an exclusive interview, describing Türkiye as "a crucial NATO ally" for Washington.
Hurley said Türkiye remains a key partner in the fight against terror financing and money laundering.
"We've talked about a number of things in all of these meetings about the larger partnerships with Türkiye, the UAE and others, but the focus of the trip is very much the anti-money laundering and countering the financing of terrorism," he said.
- Türkiye as a "key player" in rebuilding Syria
"In my department, a big part of what we're having to help people with is, how do we get the financial infrastructure back in place in Syria, to be able to help our Turkish friends and our Gulf friends to then be able to start rebuilding the economic infrastructure in Syria," Hurley said.
He linked these efforts to President Trump's emphasis on economic stability as a foundation for peace.
"I always go back to President Trump's message of peace and prosperity," he said.
"We are very much in the view that the best security is founded on prosperity. You build it on that basis of people have good jobs, it gives everybody a reason to make and keep the society successful, and to stop the fighting."
Hurley stressed that Syria remains a “very important area” of cooperation between Washington and Ankara.
"Syria is a very important area in which we’re collaborating with Türkiye," he said. "It was one of the main subjects we discussed."
Hurley said Washington’s policy toward Russia and Iran focuses on limiting the influence of “actors that destabilize the world."
- Economic cooperation and trade goals
Responding to a question on the goal of boosting US-Türkiye bilateral trade to $100 billion, Hurley emphasized the importance of a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership.
"The US is lucky to have a president like President Trump, who is very economically and financially literate as someone who spent his life as a businessperson. I think what the President would say, what Secretary Scott Bessent would say, is it's got to be good for both of us. It can't just be good for one party, it's got to be good for both parties," he said.
"Syria is one great opportunity. If we can get folks to invest in Syria, if we can get the economy going again, it's our best hope at peace there," he added.
- Important visit amid Washington's domestic uncertainty
Despite political uncertainty in Washington over budget negotiations and the temporary federal government shutdown, Hurley said his visit to Ankara demonstrates the importance the US places on its alliance with Türkiye.
"You should take it as a signal of just how important Türkiye is, and the relationship of this NATO ally, that I'm here right now. The second thing is that 'business moves on'. The important thing is the work continues." he concluded.
By Gulsen Cagatay
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
