Turkey, US should talk to resolve issues: Official

By Muhammet Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - Turkey and the U.S. should find solutions to ongoing issues through talks, head of the Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee said on Tuesday.

During a meeting with U.S. Charge d'affaires Jeffrey M. Hovenier in the capital Ankara, Volkan Bozkir recalled of Turkey and the U.S. being strategic partners.

"On the issues of S-400 missiles, Patriot missiles and F-35 jets, we are sure that we can find solutions by talking and understanding each other," said Bozkir.

Tensions between the U.S. and Turkey have reached a fever pitch in recent months with Turkey set to begin receiving the advanced S-400 surface-to-air missile systems from Russia.

Washington maintains the move will jeopardize Turkey's role in the F-35 fighter jet program and could trigger congressional sanctions.

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

He added that good relations between the two countries were of critical importance.

"The U.S.-Turkey relations are long and deep, both countries benefit from it," said Hovenier.

He said: "We have a number of issues, all our agenda can be problematic. The two countries are consistently committed to working together to advance their interest."