While the differences of opinion between Turkey and the United States regarding the Gülenist Terror Group (FETÖ) and the PKK-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) and the People's Protection Units (YPG) continue, U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson faced a tough trial in his meetings with Turkish officials yesterday due to the legacy remaining from the former Obama administration. Addressing a large crowd of media members yesterday at the joint press conference held with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Tillerson tried to evade questions while he described his meeting with Çavuşoğlu as "very frank and very candid." However, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu once again underlined that Turkey expects better cooperation with the Trump administration on Syria in his statements. Touching upon the "three mutual long-term goals," Tillerson indicated that: "[The first is] working together to defeat Daesh. The second, building stability in the region and finally bolstering economic ties between our two nations." Praising Turkey's effort in its counterterrorism operations against Daesh and its efforts in preventing the flow of foreign fighters, Tillerson condemned the PKK terror in Turkey as he affirmed that, "Turkey and the U.S. have many joint goals in the region."However, Secretary of State Tillerson beat around the bush when a question regarding the current U.S. administration, similarly to the Obama administration, continued support of the PYD/YPG in Syria, something Turkey strongly criticizes. "Those [the issue of including YPG/PYD in a possible Raqqa operation in Syria] were the subjects of our conversations today. We have exchanged views on the best way to secure areas inside of Syria to allow the safe return of people to Syria and to set the stage for a long-term political solution," Tillerson said, without ever mentioning the YPG/PYD in his remarks.Commenting on the "hesitant" stance of Tillerson in responding to the questions, Dr. Bora Bayraktar of the International Relations Department at Istanbul Kültür University Department indicated that: "The current U.S. administration has come into power but has not become competent. Meaning, they are yet to completely reflect their own policies." While highlighting that U.S. cooperation with the PYD/YPG in the Raqqa operation is ongoing, Bayraktar told Daily Sabah that: "Though it has not politically been announced, it is physically being conducted [by the U.S. Department of Defense] … Thus they [the U.S.] do not have much to say to Turkey. We are currently hearing statements from their side to calm the responses from Turkey." He further noted that there is a disconnect between the Turkish and the U.S. public. Additionally to Bayraktar, Foreign Policy Director at the SETA Foundation, Ufuk Ulutaş, described Tillerson's remarks at the joint press conference as "diplomatic." He also touched upon the importance of the visit as Ulutaş said: "It is the first visit of the new Trump government for foreign affairs. It is also important because the meeting was conducted before the Raqqa operation. However, controversial issues still remain." Ulutaş also added that, "The U.S. is reluctant to fulfill Turkey's priorities regarding the PKK and FETÖ issues."In regards to the matter of Raqqa, the top U.S. official did affirm that the U.S. and Turkey are exploring "a number of options and alternatives" for liberating Raqqa, as he emphasized the necessity for the local administration to take over the area so local Syrians could return home. He further stressed that there was "no space" between Turkey and the U.S. concerning the necessity of defeating Daesh, as he added that there are "difficult choices that have to be made." On the fate of the Assad regime, Tillerson said, "The long-term status of Assad will be decided by the Syrian people."Furthermore, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said he had conveyed Turkey's concerns of the U.S.'s cooperation with the YPG in Syria and noted that the U.S. administration, as well as all relevant institutions, must recognize the fact that there is no difference between the PKK and the YPG. Çavuşoğlu also reiterated that Ankara expects better cooperation with the new U.S. administration of President Donald Trump on Syria and that it is vital to give fresh momentum to U.S.-Turkish relations. On the long-awaited extradition of U.S.-based terror leader Fetullah Gülen, Çavuşoğlu urged concrete steps on the matter, as he said, "[Washington] should take administrative steps, including the temporary detention of FETÖ leader Gülen."U.S. Secretary of State Tillerson, meanwhile, also met with Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım early on Thursday ahead of meeting Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu. According to prime ministerial sources, Tillerson and Yıldırım addressed the efforts in eliminating the Daesh terror group from Iraq and Syria, while Yıldırım had touched upon the extradition of U.S.-based FETÖ leader Gülen, whose group was behind the failed coup attempt last year. As Tillerson's visit is the first of its kind since the new U.S. administration under Donald Trump came into power, Yıldırım and Tillerson agreed to further enhance cooperation, in not only bilateral relations, but also in regional matters. The prime ministerial sources have also confirmed that the bilateral visits between the two countries are to continue in the upcoming period. Following his meeting with Yıldırım, Tillerson was welcomed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at the Presidential Palace at noon yesterday. Regarding the meeting with President Erdoğan, Tillerson said, "[He] conveyed President Trump's commitment to strengthening the relationship between our two countries." During the closed-door meeting at the presidential complex yesterday, Erdoğan and Tillerson addressed the ongoing efforts to clear Daesh from Syria and Iraq, as well as the extradition of the terrorist leader, Gülen, according sources. Similarly, President Erdoğan also reiterated Ankara's request to have the FETÖ leader extradited from the U.S., as he also underlined the importance of working with "legitimate" actors in the fight against terrorism.