Talks between US and Turkish delegations conclude: 'CAATSA sanctions will be lifted'

Following the inter-delegation meeting, AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan and US President Trump appeared before the cameras and delivered messages aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.

AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan stated that Trump's visit to Turkey was an important turning point for relations between the two countries, expressing that they maintain the will to act together within the framework of the NATO alliance.

Erdoğan emphasized that they prioritize diplomacy for the resolution of regional crises and said that they had comprehensively evaluated many international issues, primarily Iran, Gaza, and the Russia-Ukraine war.

F-35 AND DEFENSE INDUSTRY ON THE AGENDA

One of the prominent topics in the talks was defense cooperation. AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan stated that the process regarding the F-35 program was re-evaluated at the leaders' level and expressed that they expect the previously made commitments to be implemented.

Erdoğan also stated that cooperation opportunities regarding the engine project for Turkey's domestically developed national combat aircraft, KAAN, were also put on the table.

PRAISE FOR TURKEY FROM TRUMP

US President Donald Trump stated that Turkey has made significant progress in the field of defense in recent years and said that the country has strengthened its military capacity under the leadership of AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan.

Emphasizing that they attach importance to strong relations with Turkey, Trump stated that the two countries could take new steps in the fields of trade, defense, and regional security.

Speaking clearly when asked about CAATSA sanctions, Trump said, "These sanctions will be lifted. I don't want to spend time on this question; we are already working very closely. Together with all my colleagues, we will lift the sanctions. It is time. We do not want to impose such sanctions on our friends. There are enough people to impose sanctions on."

"OUR RELATIONS WITH TURKEY ARE BETTER THAN EVER"

Expressing that he has no concerns regarding Turkey, Trump said, "He has made his country a much stronger country. I have no concerns about Turkey. Our relations with Turkey are perhaps better right now than they have ever been. They were good in my first four years, but they are even better now than they were then."

Trump also made assessments regarding the US economy, saying that record levels of investment are being attracted to his country, employment is increasing, and they are developing strong relations with many countries, including Turkey, in the field of trade.

US President Trump continued his remarks as follows:

"Turkey bought aircraft, and it is truly the best aircraft. But they bought aircraft from the United States. When you buy an aircraft from the United States, there are various works done regarding engine renewal or engine-related issues. Including maintenance. I think we have obligations to ensure the maintenance of the engines and to keep them maintained. So, when you buy an aircraft, if there is work that needs to be done on the engine, or if the engine needs to be rearranged or sometimes updated or upgraded, we have an obligation to do that too. What are you going to do? Are you going to say 'I'm not doing it'? I know many people don't agree on this, but Turkey has actually been a great ally for us. Turkey knows Iran very well. They know the problems in Iran very well. They were very helpful in terms of helping along with a few countries. They could have joined the fight. Some people talk about their relations with Israel. They could have joined the fight too. It is a truly strong country. A country that is strong in military terms, but they didn't do it. Maybe they didn't do it because of me, but on the other hand, they could have actually joined the fight. Turkey has become a very, very good country, and I can only say this as president from my own perspective. They have become an extraordinary country in many respects. This includes ending the war with Iran, or we can say it in terms of military operations, not just war. We can call it denuclearization regarding Iran. Because I am sure that the President there does not want nuclear weapons either."

REGIONAL CRISES DISCUSSED

The leaders evaluated the latest situation in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as developments regarding Iran. While AKP Chairman and President Erdoğan stated that diplomatic initiatives will continue to ensure lasting peace in the region, Trump also said that Turkey is an important partner in regional issues.

EMPHASIS ON CLOSE COOPERATION AT NATO SUMMIT

The agenda of the 36th NATO Leaders' Summit was also comprehensively evaluated during the meeting. While Erdoğan stated that Turkey and the US, as two important countries of the alliance, will act together at the summit, Trump also expressed that cooperation within NATO needs to be strengthened.

News Source: 12punto