As a part of his contacts in Istanbul and Ankara, Deputy Undersecretary Olson attended a panel on clear power on the convention organized by the Atlantic Council. Olson, who met with the officers on the Ministry of Vitality and Pure Assets, the Ministry of Commerce and the Ministry of International Affairs, requested AA’s questions in regards to the army engagement between Greece and the USA, the lifting of restrictions on the Greek Cypriot Administration, the most recent scenario within the sale of F-16s to Turkey. answered.
QUESTION: It’s seen that Athens is inspired by army engagements between Greece and the US whereas difficult Turkey. On this regard, harsh criticism got here to the US from Turkey. How does the US clarify this coverage, which has elevated tensions between its two NATO allies? Will the US take a place on the facet of one of many events in a attainable army battle?
Erika Olson: “Throughout my time in Turkey, I made it clear that we’re working with our NATO allies to counter the widespread challenges posed by Russia’s critical risk to regional safety. I consider that the US and Turkey share the identical aim, which is peace and safety in your entire area. Our cooperation with our NATO allies Turkey and Greece is about selling stability within the area and deepening NATO’s joint capabilities.The US working with Turkey and Greece and our presence within the Aegean strengthen NATO and Russia’s Ukraine Turkey and Greece. g We wish them to resolve it constructively via dialogue, as up to now. Now greater than ever, we have to act collectively as NATO allies to counter Russia’s aggressive stance on Ukraine.
QUESTION: The USA lifted some restrictions on the Greek Cypriot Administration and opened the doorways to arms gross sales and cooperation within the discipline of army coaching. Does this imply that we’ll quickly see American weapons and advisors on the Island? Are you apprehensive in regards to the provocative results of this on the Turkish facet?
Erika Olson: “This resolution doesn’t point out a change within the US place relating to an answer in Cyprus (Island). Attainable gross sales to the Republic of Cyprus (GCA) proceed to be reviewed on a case-by-case foundation to help our overseas coverage and nationwide safety targets. Earlier this 12 months, Minister (Antony) Blinken, on permitting the Republic of Cyprus (GCA) to carry protection commerce restrictions for fiscal 2023 – outlined within the Japanese Mediterranean Safety and Vitality Partnership Legislation for 2019 and for Fiscal 12 months 2020. It has determined that it meets the mandatory circumstances – specified within the Nationwide Protection Authorization Legislation. Our Ministry critiques its compliance with these circumstances yearly. Like Turkey, we goal for a peaceable, secure and affluent area the place we work collectively towards Russia’s aggressive angle.”
QUESTION: Additions that situation F-16 gross sales to Turkey have been omitted from the Senate model of the US nationwide protection finances. How do you consider this improvement? What are the factors that you’re optimistic or pessimistic about this situation?
Erika Olson: “Turkey is likely one of the United States’ longest-standing and essential NATO allies. The Biden administration helps Turkey’s efforts to modernize its F-16 fleet. The USA and Turkey have deep-rooted protection and safety ties, and Turkey’s interoperability inside NATO. “I’m inspired to see that Turkey is decided to work with us for our widespread safety as soon as once more on this situation.”
QUESTION: How do you consider Turkey’s position within the Russia-Ukraine struggle, which was concerned within the course of at totally different factors of the crises and aimed to cut back the strain?
Erika Olson: “In all my conferences with Turkish officers this week, I expressed nice satisfaction with the constructive position Turkey performed in reaching an settlement between Ukraine and Russia on the opening of a sea hall for the transport of Ukrainian grain to the world. The opening of this hall is a crucial achievement that strengthens meals safety world wide. As a part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, greater than 7 million metric tons of meals has been transported to the world so far.
Throughout the conferences I held, I additionally expressed my gratitude for the diplomatic efforts of Turkey in the direction of the discharge of the Ukrainian prisoners of struggle and two Americans held by Russia. We additionally made it clear that President Putin is straight chargeable for the Russian authorities’s unreasonable and illegal invasion of Ukraine. At the moment, it’s extra obligatory than ever that we unite to help the Ukrainian folks. We should work collectively in order that Russia doesn’t use the worldwide programs to additional extend this unfair and unjustified struggle. We recognize Turkey’s clear and unwavering dedication to Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its efforts to advertise dialogue between Ukraine and Russia.”
QUESTION: The rise in commerce relations between Turkey and the USA attracts consideration. What do you consider the explanations for this improvement and the continuation of this momentum?
Erika Olson: “The business relations between our international locations are creating and rising daily. For instance, simply two weeks in the past, the American firm Axiom House signed a historic settlement with Turkey to ship the primary Turkish astronaut into area. A report variety of American vacationers coming to Turkey contributed to the tourism sector. 377 thousand People visited Turkey within the first half of 2022. This determine represents a rise of 76.8% in comparison with the identical interval of 2019 earlier than the beginning of the pandemic.
Whereas the full exports of the USA to Turkey have been 5 billion {dollars} within the first half of 2021, it reached roughly 8.1 billion {dollars} within the first half of 2022 with a rise of 62 p.c. About 20 p.c of the liquid pure fuel utilized in Turkey is American pure fuel.
Complete bilateral commerce, which was $12.4 billion within the first half of 2021, elevated by 42 p.c to $17.6 billion within the first half of 2022. This enhance stemmed from the rise in each the US exports to Turkey and Turkey’s exports to the US. It’s seen that broadcasting providers originating from the USA add new content material and providers for the Turkish market daily, and packages produced in Turkey are met with nice admiration within the USA. We’ve got nice potential to broaden business relations between the 2 international locations’ huge client markets.
Turkish merchandise are discovering an more and more engaging market within the USA. The USA has grow to be the second market in 2021, rising from the fifth place in 2019 and the third place in 2020 within the rating of the markets to which Turkey exports. The truth is, exports from Turkey to the US additionally noticed a forty five p.c enhance in 2021, the biggest enhance amongst Turkey’s high 5 buying and selling companions. The USA has been the second largest overseas investor in Turkey since 2003, and we’re decided to proceed the robust progress development in bilateral commerce and deepen our financial ties.”