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UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) – Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday that his country can not remain silent about the use of sanctions as weapons when it is in conflict with the United States over the fate of a pastor American evangelical detained by Ankara. .
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Speaks at the 73rd Session of the United Nations General Assembly at the United States Headquarters in New York, United States, September 25, 2018. REUTERS / Shannon Stapleton
The United States has called for the release of Pastor Andrew Brunson, who was placed under house arrest in July after being detained for 21 months. If he is found guilty, he could be jailed for 35 years. He denies the charges.
Turkey said the United States must follow the legal procedure for the pastor, whose trial in Turkey on terrorism charges has infuriated US President Donald Trump.
"None of us can be silent about the arbitrary cancellation of trade agreements and the use of economic sanctions as weapons," Erdogan said in a speech to the UN General Assembly.
In August, Trump authorized a doubling of duties on aluminum and steel imported from Turkey. Turkey reacted by increasing tariffs on American cars, alcohol and tobacco imports.
The lira lost nearly 40% of its value against the dollar this year because of concerns about Erdogan's adherence to monetary policy and the diplomatic conflict between Ankara and Washington.
The Trump administration has also imposed sanctions on two senior officials of Erdogan's cabinet as part of its efforts to pressure Turkey to release Brunson.
"Today, some countries are constantly trying to create chaos. We support the resolution of our problems by conducting constructive dialogue on an equal footing, "said Erdogan.
However, the Turkish lira strengthened slightly Tuesday as investors looked for an improvement in Turkey-United States. Relations with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he expected talks this week over Brunson's fate.
Erdogan's communications advisor, Fahrettin Altun, posted on Twitter a photo of Erdogan and Trump shaking hands and smiling at the United Nations.
Ankara and Washington are also at odds over divergent interests in Syria, where Washington backs Kurdish rebels that Turkey sees as terrorists.
"Those who equip terrorists with tens of thousands of trucks and thousands of transport planes loaded with weapons for their tactical interests will certainly feel pain in the future," said M Erdogan.
Washington has expressed concern that Russia's planned deployment of a NATO-made Russian-made S-400 may jeopardize the safety of some US weapons and other technologies used by Turkey, including the F -35.
Written by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by James Dalgleish and Grant McCool
