Meet Sedat Onal, veteran diplomat named Turkey’s new ambassador to US

ANKARA — Turkey on Wednesday named Sedat Onal as its new ambassador to Washington, leaning on a career diplomat to embark on improving its ties with the United States.

Onal, 61, is currently Turkey’s ambassador to the United Nations and holds 35 years of experience in the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The diplomat was notified of his position on the same day he submitted his diplomatic credentials to the international body a year ago.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ahmet Yildiz will fill Onal’s current post, Turkish broadcaster TRT said. 

Onal, whose appointment will become official after it is published in the Official Gazette at approximately midnight local time, is a well-known name in Washington.