“Our hope is that these contacts will further strengthen friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between Türkiye and the United States,” Akar said, adding that stronger ties would benefit both countries as well as regional and global peace.
S-400 defence system
Asked whether discussions included reports that Türkiye could transfer its Russian-made S-400 air defence systems to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a way to overcome US sanctions, Akar said the issue had not been discussed in those terms.
“We did not say — nor are we saying — that the S-400s are going to the UAE,” Akar told the reporter.
“We discussed and conferred with them, noting that an agreement has been reached to resolve this matter and put it on the right track as soon as possible, and that there may be developments in the near future leading to the resolution of this issue causing friction between us.”
Akar said US officials indicated they were receiving “positive information” through their own channels and suggested that a solution to the S-400 dispute could be reached in the near future.
“Ultimately, the S-400 issue will be resolved one way or another. We anticipate, hope for, and look forward to certain developments in this regard, and it appears likely to happen … After all, the S-400 is the reason cited for the suspension of the F-35 program; once that issue is removed, the F-35 program will naturally resume,” he added.
Related
Türkiye’s National Defence Ministry said Thursday that work on S-400 defence systems is continuing.
“Work on the S-400 Long-Range Regional Air and Missile Defence Systems is continuing in multiple dimensions,” spokesman Zeki Akturk said, adding it will be shared with the public “when there are concrete developments.”
Akar also addressed Israeli opposition to a possible US decision to allow Türkiye back into the F-35 programme, saying Turkish officials told their American counterparts that Washington should not allow Israel to “exploit” the US.
“America is our friend and ally, and we strive to work together with them. However, there are matters to which America needs to pay attention. As a friend, we have pointed out to them that Israel is behaving in a very spoiled manner and exploiting America — attempting to carry out certain agendas using American funds and causing the deaths of thousands of people (in Gaza) …We have expressed that America must now put a stop to this spoiled behaviour, that doing so is essential for regional stability and for preventing the conflict from spreading,” Akar said.
During his meetings in Washington, Akar emphasised that the regional issues, including Armenia-Azerbaijan, Iran, and the Russia-Ukraine war, were also on the agenda.
