FM: Türkiye expects US to lift CAATSA sanctions under new administration

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has stated that Türkiye expects the new US administration to lift sanctions under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Fidan made these remarks during a press conference following talks with EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

"The US is an important strategic partner for Türkiye, and our relationship will continue along these lines. As we have clearly stated before, we expect the new administration [of President Donald Trump] to address the problematic areas in our relations, particularly the sanctions under CAATSA. We hope that these sanctions become a thing of the past, belonging to the previous administration, and that the full potential of the Türkiye-US cooperation is realized," Fidan noted.

The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was passed in August 2017.

The Turkish foreign minister stated earlier that both Türkiye and the US acknowledge that the sanctions imposed under the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) are hindering their bilateral relations. 

Fidan also criticised Türkiye's removal from the US-led F-35 fighter jet programme after its decision to purchase the Russian-made S-400 air defence system.

"The US sale of F-35 aircraft to Türkiye is stuck due to CAATSA sanctions. Both sides agree that this issue has become a hindrance to their bilateral relationship," Fidan said.

The minister emphasised that both Türkiye and the US have proposed solutions to address the issue, stating: "Our goal is to exit CAATSA, as our Defense Industry Presidency is currently affected by it."

The F-35 programme is a multinational initiative designed to develop and deploy a family of next-generation strike fighter aircraft. Seven partner countries—the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, Netherlands, Denmark, and Norway—are involved in its development, production, and maintenance.

Türkiye was originally part of the F-35 program, but its participation was suspended due to a dispute over its purchase of the S-400 Russian air defence system after Türkiye's attempts to buy US Patriot missiles were rejected.  

By Naila Huseynova