Tillerson gets an oil industry award, says he misses his former colleagues

U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson has marked the anniversary this week of last year's failed coup coup in Turkey, praising the courage of the Turkish people in defending democracy but failing to mention the widespread government crackdown that has followed since.

Tillerson arrived in Istanbul on Sunday after a visit to Ukraine, where he reaffirmed US support for the country as it struggles with a Russia-backed insurgency.

With Houston, Texas, USA - deemed the global capital of the oil industry - being the host of the next congress in 2020; drawing laughter from the audience Tillerson quipped: "I hope to be there.in some capacity".

He waxed lyrical over his old job while being honoured with the Dewhurst Award for his contribution to the oil and gas industry.

"I miss you as colleagues", Tillerson said. I miss you as partners.

"Well before I took [political] office, when news arrived that I would be awarded the Dewhurst Award, I thought I'd spend leisurely time in Istanbul, enjoy this handsome sunny city, perhaps go fishing before collecting it.Didn't turn out this way". I miss you as competitors. "The collaboration. The breakthroughs that were achieved".

"It did not quite work out that way", he said. The secretary of state met with Turkey's foreign minister and is scheduled to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later Sunday.

The event runs until Thursday.