(File photo)U.S. forces set up a new base in Manbij, Syria on May 8, 2018. (Reuters photo)
ANKARA, May 25 (Xinhua) -- Turkish and U.S. working groups have outlined a roadmap for cooperation in ensuring security and stability in northern Syria's Manbij, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
The Turkish and U.S. delegations met on Friday in the capital Ankara and discussed Syria and other issues of mutual interest and cooperation, the ministry said in a statement.
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his U.S. counterpart Mike Pompeo will meet on June 4 to consider the recommendations of the working group, according to the statement.
Turkey and the United States have established a mechanism to solve separate issues in working groups following the visit of former U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson to Ankara in February.
Manbij was captured from the Islamic State (IS) in 2016 by the U.S.-backed Syrian Democratic Forces, mainly led by the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG).
Turkey has repeatedly demanded Washington drive YPG out from the strategic city of Manbij, where about 2,000 U.S. soldiers are currently deployed.
The relations between Turkey and the United States have been strained over Washington's support to the YPG, prompting fears of military clashes in Manbij between the two NATO allies.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday said he hopes that the U.S. and Turkish forces will avoid any risk from close encounters in northern Syria, emphasizing the importance of solving bilateral issues. Enditem