WASHINGTON

Deputy National Security Council Spokesperson, Caitlin Hayden gave a statement to AA about the photo which was taken during the phone call between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and U.S. President Barack Obama saying, "We released the photo with only one purpose in mind, to highlight the President's continuing close relationship with Prime Minister Erdogan and draw attention to the important conversation they had about the worsening situation in Syria."
Hayden sent a statement to AA regarding the "photo of the phone call" which sparked a debate in Turkey.
Stating that they saw the speculations and the comments over Obama's photo in the Turkish media, Hayden stressed, "We have seen commentary and speculation in the Turkish media about the photo we released of the President speaking to Prime Minister Erdogan while holding a baseball bat autographed by the great American athlete, Hank Aaron. We released the photo with only one purpose in mind, to highlight the President's continuing close relationship with Prime Minister Erdogan and draw attention to the important conversation they had about the worsening situation in Syria."
Moreover Hayden stated the close partnership of Obama with Erdogan and said, "The President values his friendship and close partnership with Prime Minister Erdogan on a range of important issues on which the United States cooperates with Turkey. The United States continues to value tremendously the strong and enduring friendship that exists between the people of Turkey and the United States."