The United States and Turkey have recently found common ground and are improving their defense and trade relations, a senior official was quoted as saying by Sabah.
"Especially in recent months, the two countries have developed common areas. We are seeing improvements in defense, trade and interpersonal relations," US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake told private NTV television.
Flake's remarks came as the NATO allies began comprehensive talks to discuss efforts to overcome deep political divisions and improve cooperation in other areas.
The talks were held as part of Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's trip to Washington last week and his meeting with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken.
The talks focused on topics spanning Syria, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, defense cooperation, energy, counter-terrorism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Turkey and the US boast a long history of military and economic cooperation. In recent years, however, their ties have drifted away from a strategic partnership as rifts between the two longtime allies have deepened.
The US Congress recently approved the Turkish government's long-sought $20 billion sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey after Ankara formally ratified Sweden's bid for NATO membership.
Since then, U.S. officials have begun to describe the two sides' desire to deepen talks in areas where the two countries can cooperate.
Flake expressed support for the sale of F-16 warplanes to Turkey and said the issue of F-35 fighter jets was also on the agenda during talks last week.
Turkey sought to buy the F-35 before it sought to buy the F-16, but the US removed it from the multinational program to buy and assist in the development and construction of the fighter jets in 2019 after it acquired the S-400 from Russia.
Washington claimed the missile defense systems posed a risk to the modern fighter, while Ankara insisted they would not be integrated into NATO systems.
Turkey has ordered about 100 F-35s, and its companies produce about 900 parts of the fighter.
"As already discussed, the S-400 issue remains unresolved. We want to find a solution," Flake said.
He recalled the recent visit of US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Newland, who said Washington was open to accepting Turkey back into the F-35 fighter jet program if the issue of the S-400 air defense system was resolved.
Flake said Newland "proposed a solution."
"We want to overcome the problem, we just haven't yet," he added.
Flake said the trade relationship between the two countries is "really going well."
The two governments have set a goal of reaching $100 billion in bilateral trade in the coming years.
"There is a 60% increase compared to a few years ago, reaching a volume of 35 billion dollars. Although the goal of reaching 100 billion dollars is ambitious, I would like to say that it is achievable with this dynamic," noted the ambassador.
Flake said that although Turkey and America do not always agree on the issue of Syria, the two countries seek cooperation to achieve peace in Syria and the region.
"Turkey is an important ally in the fight against ISIS. Although Turkey and America do not always see eye to eye, especially regarding northern Syria, the two countries are exploring opportunities for cooperation to achieve peace in the region and eradicate ISIS," he added. /BGNES
