PM Yıldırım meets Turkish-US opinion leaders in Washington

Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım continued his meetings in the U.S. capital amid signs of improving relations between Washington and Ankara.

On the second day of his visit, Yıldırım met Turkish-U.S. opinion leaders at the Turkish Ambassador's residence in the U.S. capital Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Berat Albayrak, the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Deputy Chairman Mehmet Muş, parliamentarians Volkan Bozkır and Mustafa Şentop as well as Turkey's Ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç and Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Kerim Uras were also present at the meeting which lasted about two hours.

Some prominent U.S. diplomats and representatives of think tanks attended the meeting which was closed to press.

Yıldırım will also meet U.S. Vice President Mike Pence Thursday at the White House, on the last day of his visit in Washington followed by a trip to New York City.

The two are expected to discuss economic and military ties, as well as instability in Syria and Iraq.

But more contentious issues are also expected be examined, including the refugee crisis on Turkey's border, a visa row, Daesh, PKK terror groups and the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ).