Erdoğan: Türkiye-US partnership vital for region, world
ANKARA
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has underscored Türkiye's growing efforts to foster peace and stability in a shifting global environment — placing particular emphasis on ties between Ankara and Washington.
"The Türkiye-U.S. partnership is vital for establishing stability in our region and in the world. We are striving to create a constructive and result-oriented dialogue platform," Erdoğan told reporters aboard a plane following his visit to Albania's capital Tirana on May 16.
He called for a renewed focus on shared values and strategic alignment, particularly within the framework of NATO.
Erdoğan addressed longstanding tensions related to defense cooperation and sanctions.
Türkiye was sanctioned under CAATSA, or Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, in 2020 for purchasing Russia’s S-400 missile defense system.
"Regarding CAATSA, we can comfortably say there is a softening," he said. "I believe we will overcome the CAATSA process much faster as well."
The president said there should be no constraints on defense collaboration between the two "great allies" and NATO members.
"Removing all obstacles contrary to the spirit of strategic partnership is our greatest expectation," he said. "Every positive step is valuable. I believe more will follow."
He also welcomed the U.S. State Department's approval for an air-to-air missile sale to Türkiye exceeding $300 million.
Separately, Erdoğan called on Europe to take responsibility for "eliminating terrorism" in Syria and to begin reconstruction.
"I consider U.S. President Mr. [Donald] Trump’s decision to lift sanctions on Syria to be very important and meaningful in this context," he said. "I hope my friend Trump’s decision will serve as an example to all relevant parties, especially the EU."
Türkiye maintains strong ties with the Syrian government, Erdoğan added.
"Syrian President Mr. Ahmad al-Sharaa has visited Türkiye twice. We had extremely productive discussions."
This approach, he said, will foster peace and stability not only in Syria but also in neighboring Iraq.
On domestic and cross-border counterterrorism efforts, the Turkish president said the complete laying down of arms by PKK, the full implementation of the dissolution decision and the abandonment of illegality are "essential."
He added that discussions were underway with neighboring countries on disarming terror-related elements outside Turkish borders.
Meantime, he reaffirmed Türkiye's readiness to mediate and promote diplomacy.
"We will make every effort to keep the channels of dialogue open between the parties and to continue negotiations," he said regarding Russia and Ukraine, whose delegates were in Istanbul last week for the first direct talks in three years.
The president confirmed that Türkiye is actively mediating between Washington, Moscow and Kiev to bring an end to the war, calling on Europe to support the high-level diplomatic effort.
"We expect the support of all relevant parties, including the EU, for the sensitive process we are conducting... to swiftly achieve peace in Ukraine," Erdoğan said.
The president urged Europe to "leave behind the political obstacles and prejudiced attitudes" that have hindered greater cooperation, warning that failure to do so would erode Europe’s competitiveness and long-term stability.
"Europe no longer has the luxury of remaining silent," he said, referencing both the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
"We are not merely saying ‘end the war,’ but are proposing methods, preparing the ground and making calls to action. First and foremost, to end the war, the weapons must fall silent and diplomacy must speak. Peace negotiations must begin, and this opportunity must not be missed."
