Turkish VP: US should act within spirit of alliance

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay called on the U.S. Monday to act in accordance with the spirit of its alliance and partnership with Turkey.

"As Turkey, our expectation from the U.S. is for it to act according to the spirit of the alliance in every single area," Oktay said during his budget speech.

"We also want to see an America that respects Turkey's fight against terrorist organizations," he said.

Turkey has long sought the extradition of Fetullah Gulen, the leader of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), from the U.S.

FETO orchestrated the defeated coup attempt of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara 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.