Turkey, US can resolve issues through constructive dialogue, presidential spokesperson says

There is not a "very pessimistic picture" of the differences between Turkey and the United States, however, Ankara believes that the two NATO allies can solve these issues through a "constructive dialogue and by speaking very transparently and sincerely," Turkey's Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has told Bloomberg.

The main three issues that harm ties between Ankara and Washington are the U.S. "support" for the PYD / YPG, Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Acts (CAATSA) sanctions due to Turkey's purchase of Russian-made S-400s defense systems and the presence of FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen in the U.S., Kalın noted.

He emphasized that Turkey could not see any progress or action taken on these issues so far and these problems are at the heart of the country's national security concerns.

Turkey and the U.S. can work together to some extent against terrorism in other areas, for example in Libya and Iraq, and therefore the picture is not "very pessimistic," he said.

"Our relationship can function in a very constructive way where we can empower each other mutually and can address joint issues or concerns together," he stated.

"A new strategic outlook means putting more emphasis on having good relations with Turkey because of Turkey's geopolitical location and Turkey's standing in the western alliance," the spokesperson said.

To have that relationship working for both sides, it has to be based on mutual respect and mutual interests, he added.
"The U.S. side must understand Turkey's national security concerns regarding the PKK. We want to see concrete action by our allies," Kalın noted.

Elaborating on the issue of S-400s, Kalın recalled that Turkey can have the Patriots as well noting that the...