Press Releases

Pingree traveling in Turkey this week with an eight-member Congressional Delegation

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree met today with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and other high-ranking officials as part of an eight-member Congressional Delegation trip to Turkey this week.

"Turkey continues to be one of the United States' strongest allies in the Middle East. It's especially important for us to maintain our relationship now as the situation in neighboring Syria worsens. Turkey has provided refuge for hundreds of thousands of Syrians who have fled the escalating civil war there," said Pingree. "It's been a pleasure and an honor to meet President Gul and other Turkish officials to discuss the key role the country plays in the region. For centuries, Turkey has acted as a bridge between East and West and that continues to put the country in a critical position today."

Pingree arrived in Turkey late Sunday and will be in the country through Tuesday with stops in Ankara and Istanbul. Points on the schedule include meetings with members of Parliament, cabinet ministers, business leaders, and leaders from Turkey's Jewish, Greek-Orthodox, Armenian-Orthodox, and other minority communities.

The Turkish government is paying for the trip, which has been approved by the U.S. State Department.