Turkish Parliament official calls for strengthening ties with US

Fuat Oktay emphasizes the importance of improving relations with the U.S. through parliamentary diplomacy. The talks in Washington focus on U.S.-Türkiye
relations, counterterrorism efforts and regional issues such as Gaza

Chairman of the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Fuat Oktay emphasized the need to strengthen ties with the U.S. through parliamentary diplomacy at a press conference on Friday.

Following his meetings with U.S. officials in Washington, Oktay said it was time to improve relations with the House of Representatives and the Senate.

On his visit, Oktay held separate meetings with four senators and 12 congressmen, focusing on Türkiye-U.S. relations as well as regional issues such as the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Among the main topics of the talks were counterterrorism efforts and NATO enlargement.

Fight against terrorism and PKK

Oktay emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to NATO’s goals and expressed concern about the lack of cooperation of some member states in the fight against terrorism.

In particular, Oktay expressed Türkiye’s opposition to the U.S.’ cooperation with the PKK terrorist group under the pretext of fighting Daesh.

 Ankara cannot accept that its NATO ally supports the PKK and provides training or arms to the organization, he said.

Türkiye has repeatedly criticized the U.S. for partnering with the PKK’s Syrian affiliate, the YPG, in the fight against ISIS. Ankara has carried out several military operations in northern Syria to prevent the establishment of a terrorist corridor and to ensure the security of the local population.

The PKK, designated as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S. and the EU, has waged a long campaign of terror against Türkiye for more than three decades. This campaign has resulted in the tragic deaths of more than 40,000 people, including innocent women, children and babies.

Situation in Gaza

Regarding the situation in Gaza, Oktay highlighted common ground between Türkiye and the U.S., including the urgent need for a lasting cease-fire, the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid and the eventual realization of a two-state solution.

Oktay called on the U.S. to put pressure on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza and emphasized Ankara’s readiness to support peace efforts in Palestine.

Türkiye’s position is not against the Israeli people but against the policies of the Israeli government, Oktay emphasized.

If Palestine had done the same to Israel, we would have shown a similar attitude, he said. “We are a nation that always supports the oppressed. It is not possible for us to ignore this,” he added.

The talks also covered the Cyprus issue, the peace process between Azerbaijan and Armenia, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Türkiye’s possible purchase of F-16 fighter jets from the U.S., and the impact of the Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA).

Source: AA