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Bilateral ties have been hit by Turkey’s purchase of Russian
S-400 missile defence systems, differences in policy on Syria
and the detention of U.S. consulate employees and citizens in
Turkey.
"We don't find the statements they (the U.S. administration)
make and the actions they take regarding our arms procurements
to be nice. We especially don't find their approach in northern
Syria to be right," Erdogan said.
Speaking to reporters before traveling to Azerbaijan, he said
that it was too early to comment on the incoming U.S.
administration under Biden, who has criticised Erdogan's
policies.
"Let Mr Biden take office. Once he assumes office, we will
surely sit down and discuss certain things with Mr Biden. Just
like we sat and talked in the United States or Turkey in the
past, we will discuss these again," he said.
Ankara's purchase last year of the S-400s from Moscow raised the
prospect of U.S. sanctions early next year if Congress approves
a defence spending bill including language requiring the
president to sanction Turkey. The House of Representatives
passed the bill on Tuesday.
"In diplomacy, a path is found to these issues by talking and
meeting. (...) I believe we will manage this period very
differently with the United States," Erdogan said, playing down
the prospect of sanctions.
(Reporting by Ece Toksabay and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by
Dominic Evans)
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