Turkey was fulfilling its responsibilities in the F-35 project and expected the programme to continue as planned, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said.
He stressed buying the S-400s was only meant to meet Turkey’s defence needs and posed no threats. The minister said talks with U.S. officials were still underway.
“We are doing whatever normal bilateral agreements mandate. Though there are some issues from time to time, we are pleased that there has been no sharp turn until now... Turkey is also making preparations for the potential implementation of CAATSA sanctions,” he said.
"In our talks with the United States, we see a general easing and rapprochement on issues including the east of the Euphrates, F-35s and Patriots," Reuters cited the minister as saying.
"There is no clause anywhere in the F-35 agreement saying one will be excluded from the partnership for buying S-400s," Akar said. "Turkey has paid $1.2 billion. We also produced the parts ordered from us on time. What more can we do as a partner?"
