x

Politics

Erdogan Wishes to Improve Testy Relations with US

February 21, 2021

ISTANBUL — Turkey's president says mutual interests with the United States outweigh their differences and has called for more cooperation with President Joe Biden's new U.S. administration.

In a video message late Saturday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan acknowledged that Turkish-American relations were "seriously tested" but stressed that their strategic partnership has "overcome all kinds of difficulties."

Erdogan's conciliatory tone follows his strongly worded accusations that the U.S. supported Kurdish militants, days after Turkish troops found the bodies of 13 Turkish hostages held by the Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK in a cave complex in northern Iraq.

Ankara has been infuriated by American support for a Syrian Kurdish fighters in combatting the Islamic State group, saying they are linked to the decades-long Kurdish insurgency in southeastern Turkey that the U.S. also lists as terrorists. 

Erdogan said Saturday the U.S. did not give Turkey the "desired support and solidarity" in fighting the PKK and linked groups, demanding a "clear stance" from Turkey's allies.

He also repeated the frustration over the continued U.S. residency of Fethullah Gulen, a Muslim cleric accused of orchestrating the bloody 2016 coup attempt. Turkey wants Gulen's extradition. He denies the allegations of links to the attempted coup.

"We believe our common interests with America far outweigh our differing opinions," Erdogan said, adding that he wanted to strengthen relations through a "long-term perspective based on win-win."

Erdogan's video message was aired during the launch of a Turkish television channel in the U.S.

RELATED

OSLO, Norway — The Biden administration is retaliating for Russia's suspension of the New START nuclear treaty, announcing Thursday it is revoking the visas of Russian nuclear inspectors, denying pending applications for new monitors and canceling standard clearances for Russian aircraft to enter U.

Top Stories

Columnists

A pregnant woman was driving in the HOV lane near Dallas.

General News

FALMOUTH, MA – The police in Falmouth have identified the victim in an accident involving a car plunging into the ocean on February 20, NBC10 Boston reported.

Video

Enter your email address to subscribe

Provide your email address to subscribe. For e.g. [email protected]

You may unsubscribe at any time using the link in our newsletter.