Published

January 19, 2023

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Khush Choksy, Senior Vice President, Middle East, Turkey and International Development, issued the following statement on the U.S. -Turkey Joint Strategic Mechanism, taking place in Washington, D.C. today, January 18, 2023:

“Today’s discussions between U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held under the U.S.-Turkey Joint Strategic Mechanism mark an important step to reinvigorate the full range of bilateral ties.

“The U.S. business community calls on both governments to extend these Cabinet-level talks to commerce and trade officials to better align our economies for continued growth. With diversification of global supply chains underway, U.S.-Turkey trade flows have increased by 50 percent since 2019 absent a sustained bilateral trade agenda.  U.S. energy exports are leading the way with gains on both sides.  U.S. and Turkish businesses partner in innovative strategic sectors including healthcare, technology, and financial services that offer high-quality, competitively priced products and services to people all around the world.

“Lastly, the U.S. business community strongly supports the administration's proposed sale of F-16s to Turkey to strengthen the U.S.-Turkish and NATO alliance during this critical period.”