ANKARA, Turkey, Mar 2 (NNN-ANADOLU) – Turkey is negotiating with the United States about the purchase of U.S. Patriot missile defence systems, Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said.
During an interview with local broadcaster, Cavusoglu said, Ankara had received a positive response from Washington to its last letter, sent nearly two years ago about the purchase.
Turkey has important considerations about the cost, delivery schedule and technology transfer in the future, the minister said.
“While Turkey hopes to secure the purchase of the Patriot systems, it can also turn to other options, if negotiations with the U.S. do not turn out in its favour,” he added.
U.S. officials warned earlier that, if Turkey proceeds with the Russia’s S-400 purchase, Washington would withdraw its offer to sell a 3.5-billion-U.S.-dollar Patriot missile package, and could block the sale of fighter jets to Turkey and impose sanctions.
Cavusoglu reiterated that, the S-400 deal is a done deal and the system would be delivered in the fall.– NNN-ANADOLU
