Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has said that the improvement of the bilateral relations of Ankara and Washington is related to two prerequisites that the United States should fulfill, adding that Trump's term is promising for Turkey.
“The U.S., under the presidency of Donald Trump, should extradite the leader of Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), Fetullah Gülen, and immediately cease support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party affiliated Democratic Union Party (PKK/PYD)," said Kurtulmuş, in his speech after the Cabinet meeting held in Turkey's capital, Ankara.
Kurtulmuş also expressed his hopefulness about the improvement of the bilateral relations of the U.S. and Turkey during Trump's term.
"Not only would it be for Turkey's, but also the U.S.' benefit to extradite or at least try Gülen and not let him lead his terrorist organization. Because such a move would improve bilateral relations of the U.S. and Turkey," Kurtulmuş previously said.
Previously President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also said that he believes Turkey's relations with the U.S. will pick up the pace once President-elect Donald Trump takes office.
“I believe we will accelerate dialogue when Mr. Trump takes office. I believe we will reach a consensus with Mr. Trump, particularly on regional issues," he said.
Relations between Washington and Ankara have deteriorated sharply since a failed military coup in July.
The July 15 coup bid that targeted the democratically-elected government of Turkey was led by FETÖ leader Fetullah Gülen, who currently resides in the U.S.
Turkey has been demanding the immediate extradition of the terrorist leader from the U.S., as talks on the matter continue between the two countries.
Turkey also expressed its frustrations regarding the U.S. support of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)-affiliated Democratic Union Party (PYD) terrorists.
PKK is considered as a terrorist organization by the U.S; therefore, Turkey says Washington shouldn't cooperate with a terrorist organization.
A solution at Syrian peace talks in the Kazakh capital Astana should not be expected within one or two days, Turkish PM said.
"There are parties that have been at war with each other for six years around the table at Astana. A solution in one or two days should not be expected," Kurtulmuş said at a news conference in Ankara after a Turkish cabinet meeting.
Turkish government spokesman Numan Kurtulmuş reaffirmed the independence of the central bank on Monday, a day ahead of a critical policy meeting at which many economists expect it to hike rates after a sharp slide by the lira currency.
Asked at a news conference in Ankara about the rate decision, Kurtulmus said the central bank had its own policy and was an independent institution.
