Deputy Foreign Minister Gümrükçü Comments on CAATSA and F-35

Deputy Foreign Minister Ambassador Levent Gümrükçü made statements regarding the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) and F-35. Gümrükçü stated that resolving the dispute between Turkey and the US has become a top priority since US President Donald Trump took office, and a joint political and military working group was established to address this issue.Gümrükçü noted that various options are being considered to fulfill the legal obligations on the US side and the political and economic aspects on the Turkish side, saying 'We really feel closer this time. We think we can resolve this issue and leave it behind.'Gümrükçü stated that he cannot provide detailed information on how the agreement will be made or when it will happen, but 'For the first time, actually for the first time in the last 10 to 15 years, when we reach an agreement, we fully trust that the US administration will fulfill its part of the agreement.'Gümrükçü emphasized that this effort goes beyond Turkey's return to the F-35 program, stating that it is part of a broader initiative to establish a much deeper defense industry cooperation between the two countries.