Turkish Foreign Minister: Both Turkey and the US agree that sanctions hinder bilateral relations

ANKARA

Both Turkey and the United States agree that the sanctions imposed on Turkey under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) represent an obstacle to their bilateral relations, the Turkish Foreign Minister said on Thursday.

Speaking at the Anadolu editorial office, Hakan Fidan criticized Turkey’s exclusion from the US-led F-35 fighter jet program after the company decided to purchase the Russian S-400 air defense system.

“The US sale of F-35 aircraft to Turkey is stuck due to CAATSA sanctions. Both sides agree that this issue has become an obstacle to their bilateral relations,” Fidan said.

Noting that both sides have put forward proposals to resolve the issue, the minister said: “Our aim is to withdraw from the CAATSA agreement as our defence industry presidency is currently subject to the CAATSA agreement.”

The F-35 program is a joint, multinational procurement program aimed at developing and fielding a family of next-generation fighter aircraft. Seven partner nations – the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark and Norway – are contributing to the development, production and sustainment of the F-35.

Turkey was involved in the F-35 program before its participation was suspended due to a dispute over Ankara’s purchase of Russian S-500 air defense missiles after its efforts to buy U.S. Patriot missiles were rebuffed.

“Ankara Process” between Somalia and Ethiopia

Regarding the diplomatic initiative called the “Ankara Process” between Somalia and Ethiopia, Fidan recalled that he had met twice with the foreign ministers of both countries.

Fidan explained that the decision to intervene came when no progress was made in the ongoing Nairobi process between Ethiopia and Somalia.

Fidan stressed Turkey’s close relations with both countries and their politicians, saying: “Both countries are satisfied with Turkey’s participation in this process.”

Fidan noted that Turkey could take on a guarantee role if necessary: ​​”Ultimately, Somalia wants respect and recognition of its territorial integrity.”

Ethiopia, on the other hand, seeks access to warm seas for trade as it is a landlocked country with a large population and needs to establish a healthy trade and access mechanism with neighboring coastal countries.

“We believe we have brought the parties closer together and hope that this will continue. We have ongoing talks at the leadership and ministerial level. I am optimistic,” Fidan added.

In November last year, landlocked Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland reached an agreement that would give Ethiopia access to the Red Sea.

The move angered Somalia, which claims Somaliland as part of its territory and views the port deal as a violation of its sovereignty and a threat to its territorial integrity.

This issue has exacerbated tensions between the two countries and raised concerns about stability in the Horn of Africa.

Commenting on the establishment of a new Directorate for Diplomatic Security in the Foreign Ministry, Fidan said: “The General Directorate for Diplomatic Security will ensure the physical, economic and information security of our missions abroad and prevent intelligence leaks, which we call counterintelligence.”

Fidan stressed that precautions must be taken against the risks of information leaks, hacker attacks and espionage.

*Written by Zehra Nur Celik​​​​​​​

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