US has 'double standard' on Greece's actions against Türkiye: Foreign minister

By Servet Gunerigok

NEW YORK (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Friday that the US has a "double standard" when it comes to responding to Greece's actions against Türkiye.

Cavusoglu told a Council on Foreign Relations event in New York that the US and Türkiye can have different opinions and disagreements, which he called "natural."

He touched on the "unfair influence of some lobbies" on Turkish-US relations.

"With these lobbies at play, the US follows a double standard approach towards Türkiye on some issues."

Cavusoglu cited Greece's acts of hostility in the Aegean Sea.

"They went as far as radar locking Turkish F-16s during a NATO mission. A couple of days later, Turkish aircraft were again radar locked by their S-300 missiles in international airspace," he said.

"Nobody talks about these provocations. We only hear about Türkiye’s justified responses," he added.

"We don’t see equal treatment either. For example, waivers are rightly applied to India's purchase of S-400 missiles, while Türkiye is placed under CAATSA for acquiring the same system," said the foreign minister referring to the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act.

"Tons of military equipment is provided to a terror group in Syria, while we, as an Ally are subjected to sanctions," he added.

The top diplomat said Ankara asks for an impartial stance towards "an Ally that has paid a huge price for Euro-Atlantic security for decades."

*Betul Yuruk contributed to the story from New York