Turkey eyes 'positive steps' from US on YPG/PKK, FETO

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - US support for YPG/PKK in Syria and inaction against Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) are "vital issues" for Turkey, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

Speaking with US-based Turkish American National Steering Committee, Cavusoglu said there is no reason to resolve existing problems with US without dialogue and cooperation.

"The other issues such as S-400 are not vital issues for us. The US should meet our expectations about these two issues we are very sensitive," he said, referring to the US response on Turkey's purchase of Russian missile defense system.

In April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defense system from the US proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 system.

Opposing deployment of the Russian system, US officials claimed it was incompatible with NATO systems and it would expose its F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.

"It won't be easy for us and healthy relations between the two countries will not advance without earning people's feelings. Thus, we expect positive steps from the US on these sensitive issues," he added.

FETO and its US-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Turkey also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.