By Talha Yavuz, Gulsum Incekaya and Behlul Cetinkaya
ISTANBUL/ANKARA (AA) - Highlighting the significance of strengthening relations between Turkiye and US, the Turkish presidential spokesman said that ties between the two countries can be developed on the basis of mutual interest and respect.
"We must focus on common strategic issues between the two countries in order to bring our interests and perspectives closer to each other," Ibrahim Kalin said prior to a meeting with a delegation of the US Congress at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul on late Sunday.
Stressing that the implementation of sanctions by NATO member countries against each other is against the spirit of alliance, Kalin said that the "developments in our region strengthen the ties between the two countries (Turkiye and US) and offers opportunities for them."
The meeting with the delegation was also joined by the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s Ankara deputy Ali Ihsan Arslan.
The US delegation included senators Richard Shelby, Debra Fischer, Roger Marshall, Thomas Tuberville; members of the House of Representatives Norvell Kay Granger, Jerry Carl and some other officials, including US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake.
During the meeting, regional issues such as Syria, Azerbaijan, Armenia and Israel, as well as the Russia-Ukraine War, were discussed. Energy security, defense cooperation, bilateral political and economic relations were also addressed in the meeting.
In his speech before the meeting, Kalin highlighted the deep-rooted history of Turkish-American relations, and said that the relations strengthened further following Turkiye's membership to NATO after World War II.
Despite the differences of opinion on some issues, Kalin said, strategic cooperation and interests came to the fore in the current relations, and welcomed a new strategic dialogue mechanism which was initiated with the visit of US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland to Ankara.
"We can develop Turkish-American relations on the basis of mutual interest and respect," Kalin added.
- Turkiye’s peace efforts
He also commented on the current trade volume between Turkiye and the US, saying that it is close to $30 billion. Kalin emphasized that it is not enough and the target is $100 billion.
On Russia's war on Ukraine, the Turkish presidential aide said it will change many things and that "we are entering a new era, the Cold War, and we must prepare for its future effects. We must prepare for food, energy, cyber security and many other issues."
Citing Turkiye’s hosting of two historic meetings between Russian and Ukrainian officials, Kalin said one of them was held in Antalya and the other in Istanbul.
He said that Turkiye was hopeful after the talks, but the situation is “relatively difficult” at the moment.
Kalin emphasized that they are still doing their best to bring the two sides to the negotiating table as he recalled Turkiye's initiatives and efforts to prevent the war from escalating.
Ankara reduced the risks by keeping warships away from the Black Sea as part of the Montreux Convention, he said.
For his part, US Senator Richard Shelby in his speech said the event is an important opportunity for the relations between the two countries.
“Turkey has been a great friend of the US for many years, and we're here to help bolster that friendship and relationship in trade, diplomacy, and of course military,” Shelby said.
He stressed that Turkiye is "a solid member of NATO. (It's) something we respect."