PARIS (AP) — President Barack Obama is calling for a reduction in tensions between Turkey and Russia following Turkey’s shoot-down of a Russian warplane.
Obama is meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (REH’-jehp TY’-ihp UR’-doh-wahn) in Paris on the sidelines of global climate talks.
Obama says Turkey is a NATO ally and has a right to defend itself. He says the U.S. is very interested in accelerating its military relationship with Turkey.
Obama says the Islamic State group is the common enemy. He’s alluding to U.S. efforts to persuade Russia to focus its airstrikes in Syria against IS.
The president is also addressing the refugee crisis stemming from Syria’s civil war. Obama is praising Turkey for generously accepting Syrian refugees. He says border security has been strengthened.
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