Washington, April 17 (IANS) US Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan has met Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and discussed bilateral issues related to defence, security and economy, Pentagon said.
A statement released amid an ongoing feud between the nations over Turkey’s purchase of Russian S-400 air defence system, said the two chiefs met as strategic Nato allies and “focused their discussion on interests, rather than positions”, Xinhua news agency reported.
However, it did not provide any further details on Tuesday’s meeting.
On April 3, US Vice President Mike Pence warned Turkey against purchasing the S-400 air defence system from Russia, despite Ankara’s firm stance on the deal.
During a congressional hearing in March, General Curtis Scaparrotti, head of US European Command, suggested the US should cut the sale of F-35 fighters to Turkey if Ankara adopts S-400 air defence system.
Kremlin has spoken highly of Turkey’s tough stance.
–IANS
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