Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has stated that the medical aid sent to the US contributed to creating positive ambiance at the Congress – bringing about an opportunity to discuss disputed matters between the two countries.
Key unresolved matters are the US standpoint towards Ankara purchasing the S-400 missile system, the US support to People's Protection Units, and its approach to the Service Movement – affiliated with Fethullah Gulen, a US-based cleric, accused by Ankara of plotting a failed coup in Turkey.
The Turkish FM announced that he will have a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Thursday to discuss some issues, noting that Turkey sent two planes carrying PPEs to Washington. This step was received well by the Congress.
In a televised interview on Wednesday, he stated that the latest developments in Idlib and the direct clash between Turkey and Assad regime forces helped crystalize the Turkish stance and role there. He went further stressing that the problem of US supporting People's Protection Units in Syria hasn't been resolved.
The minister also spoke about the US judiciary accusing Halkbank of breaching the US sanctions against Iran between 2010 and 2012, saying that the bank agreed to attend through its representatives the hearing sessions at the Federal Court in New York.
This coincided with Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, renewing criticism to the US religious freedom report that was issued last week. The report criticized Turkey in regard to arrests, suppression of freedom, and tightening the grip on religious minorities. It went beyond that and described the Turkish presence in the northeast of Syria as an ‘occupation’.
