US Ambassador to Ankara and Special Envoy for Syria and Iraq Tom Barrack made notable remarks regarding the relationship between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump.
Speaking to reporters in front of the Turkish House in New York, where he is attending the 81st UN General Assembly, Barrack said the brief meeting between the two leaders at a dinner held as part of UN events went "great."
Barrack stated of Erdoğan and Trump, "As leaders, they have incredible respect for each other, but more importantly, there is a rapport between them." Noting that despite coming from different cultures, the two leaders are similar, Barrack expressed that this situation facilitates communication between Turkey and the US.
Stating that Turkey has stood by the US during difficult times, Barrack said, "You realize who your true friends are, and Turkey has been a great friend to America."
When asked why Erdoğan and Trump did not hold a comprehensive bilateral meeting during UN week, Barrack replied that the two leaders are already in frequent contact due to sensitive processes in the region. "That is why there were not many new topics to address. This is an ongoing situation," he said.
DEFENSE COOPERATION AND PENDING FILES
When asked if there were any new developments in Turkey-US relations, Barrack assessed the current level of relations by saying, "They have never been better. The two leaders get along very well. They like each other, and that really helps."
Touching on the S-400 and F-35 topics, Barrack said that Congress is working on these issues; however, regulations under CAATSA and the National Defense Authorization Act take time.
Emphasizing Turkey's position within NATO, Barrack said, "It is NATO's second-largest ally. We rely heavily on Turkey for all kinds of regional alliances."
Responding to questions regarding ongoing peace talks between the US and Iran, Barrack noted that the parties are engaging in more dialogue. Expressing that Turkey is effective in this process, Barrack said that Ankara has good relations with both sides and understands the regional culture.
Emphasizing that the process is not just a single event, Barrack said, "We have no other choice. I think everyone is ready. The region is ready. America is ready to help with peace."
News Source: 12punto
