Planning for the Washington meeting began before the Aug. 17 earthquake, which killed more than 13,000 people and devastated a large area of northwestern Turkey.

On August 17, 1999, a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Turkey, killing more than 17,000 and injuring 44,000.

August 17 - A 7.4-magnitude earthquake strikes northwestern Turkey, killing more than 17,000 and injuring 44,000.

A strong tremor shook already devastated towns in northwestern Turkey today, bringing several buildings crashing down and causing at least one death.

It is found in northwestern Turkey.

Three months ago, a devastating quake killed more than 17,000 people in northwestern Turkey.

Scores of people were killed Friday night and hundreds more were injured in a strong earthquake that shook northwestern Turkey.

Friday's quake was the worst in northwestern Turkey since the major one on Aug. 17 that killed more than 20,000 people in the region.

The area lies along the same fault line, which runs from east to west along much of northwestern Turkey.

Pliny the Younger became governor of Bithynia in northwestern Turkey.