Çavuşoğlu and Blinken Discuss Armenian-Azerbaijani Relations

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu has discussed the situation in the South Caucasus with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. This was stated by Çavuşoğlu during a joint press conference with Blinken in Ankara on February 20, reported Turkish media.

“Recently, both I and Antony Blinken have communicated with both Azerbaijan and Armenia. Our goal is to achieve long-term stability and peace in the South Caucasus. Efforts in this direction will continue,” stated the Turkish minister.

Çavuşoğlu also addressed the cooperation in the defense sector with the United States. He emphasized that the U.S. administration is actively supporting the Turkish authorities’ stance on the purchase and modernization of Turkey’s Air Force F-16 fleet.

“Ankara does not accept linking the purchase of F-16 aircraft from the U.S. to certain conditions. Our hands should not be tied. We also expect the swift lifting of all sanctions against Turkey,” the Turkish Foreign Minister declared.