Turkey slams ‘unacceptable’ US resolution

By Baris Seckin

ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s Foreign Ministry on Tuesday slammed “unacceptable” a U.S. resolution expressing concern over the alliance between Ankara and Washington.

The resolution "Expressing Concern for the United States-Turkey Alliance" approved by the U.S. House of Representatives on Monday does not comply with the deep-rooted friendship and relations of the alliance between Turkey and the U.S., the statement said.

“The decision ratifying unjust and unfounded allegations about Turkey’s foreign policy and its judicial system is never acceptable,” it added.

The ministry underlined the importance of resorting to "dialogue" and showing "respect" in order to resolve a difference of opinion between allies.

The resolution condemns Turkey's decision to acquire Russian S-400 air defense systems and calls on Ankara to cancel its procurement.

The defense systems have been at the core of a lingering spat between the two allies.

Turkey decided in 2017 to purchase the S-400 system following protracted efforts to purchase air defense systems from the U.S. with no success.

However, U.S. officials have advised Turkey to buy the Patriot missile system rather than the S-400 system from Moscow, arguing it is incompatible with NATO systems.

Turkey has responded that it was the U.S. refusal to sell Patriots that led it to seek other sellers, adding Russia offered a better deal, including technology transfers.