Turkish FM: US sanctions hurting its own reputation

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu warned on Tuesday that sanctions imposed by Washington on Ankara are shattering the US’ reputation.

“The era of bullying must end,” Cavusoglu said during a joint press conference with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov at the 10th Ambassadors’ Conference in the capital Ankara, Anadolu Agency reported.

"If the US wants to continue being a reputable country, it cannot do so with these impositions," he stated, referring to the sanctions.

"We are against the US or any country imposing sanctions," the Turkish diplomat added.

For his part, Lavrov stressed that the US’ "unlawful and illegitimate" sanctions policy cannot last for long.

Turkey and the US are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on two government ministers for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling US tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.

The five-day ambassadors’ conference is hosting 249 Turkish ambassadors and two charge d'affaires, as well as a number of foreign diplomats.

EA