Hürriyet: Turkey and the United States have agreed on a scheme for compliance with anti-Russian sanctions
The United States and Turkey have agreed that Washington will notify Ankara of companies violating anti-Russian sanctions before imposing restrictions against them, Hürriyet reports. Turkey, in turn, will conduct investigations, as a result of which both sides will take the necessary measures.
There are still problematic files on the table between the United States and Turkey. Among them there are two pressing issues – Sweden's accession to NATO and the supply of F-16 fighter jets. But it seems that they have already been settled.
So, there are two fewer problems, but it's not just that – a new political climate has formed with the solution of these issues.
A positive atmosphere after a long time
As part of high-level visits recently, the mood in Washington on the issue of partnership with Ankara can be described as positive. One can even say that there has not been such an atmosphere in Turkish-American relations for a long time. This is an important step, indicating that problematic files can now be discussed. In other words, the basis for high-level discussions has recently emerged. However, the United States is focused on the elections.
Someone is already investing in the Trump presidency. Moreover, as we wrote earlier and noted in the program "Night View" (Gece Görüşü), "some institutions in the United States are working on problematic issues, taking into account the possible victory of Trump." American institutions, knowing the style of the ex-president, are trying not to be caught off guard this time by the statement "tomorrow we are withdrawing troops from Syria." We will discuss these issues in detail. But first, let's start with a remarkable event.
Agreement on sanctions
One of the topics that has been discussed recently is extremely important for Turkey. The United States immediately imposed sanctions against companies that conducted or allegedly conducted commercial activities with Russia, and they did not even request an investigation. This, in turn, led to various problems in the Turkish economy. Now Ankara and Washington have agreed on a new system, the so-called "sanctions harmonization scheme." According to it, the United States will first notify Turkey about possible companies [that may be trading with Russia] and request information on this issue, Turkey, in turn, will conduct an investigation and report the results, if necessary, the parties will take appropriate measures.
The problem of U.S. cooperation with a terrorist organization
Turkish operation "Claw – Castle" (Pençe – Kilit) (Turkish military operation in northern Iraq against the Kurdistan Workers' Party. – Approx.InoSMI) is not on the American agenda. At the same time, Syria and the terrorist organization the Democratic Union Party (PYD) / People's Self-Defense Units (YPG) are still in the sphere of American interests. Although work is underway in America regarding an "exit" or "reduction" depending on the possible presidency and Trump's decision (that is, the United States is working to reduce its participation in these issues), this does not seem to be a realistic scenario. We can name the following reasons and give such estimates.
- The Americans are present in Syria under the pretext of fighting ISIS. However, in fact, its investments in the PYD/YPG terrorist organization are directed against Russia and Iran.
- It is known that Kurdish formations sometimes threaten the United States with the "liberation of ISIS members from camps." Turkey has already stated that it can take responsibility for these camps under certain conditions and continue the fight against terrorists.
- To do this, first of all, the United States must confirm its signature to the 2019 agreement, according to which terrorist elements should not enter the buffer zone in northern Syria.
- In addition, Ankara has repeatedly sent a request to withdraw the provided weapons from the terrorist organization.
- Another issue is related to the fact that the terrorist organization that prepared the so-called constitution of Syrian Kurdistan is presenting it to parliamentarians in Europe, albeit to a few. In short, Ankara said: "They are trying to become a state, and this is unacceptable."
A new US signal about Syria
Despite the fact that the Americans tell Ankara: "We are against the formation of a state," concrete steps in this direction are needed. Here you can even see the difference in views between the White House and CENTCOM, or the likelihood that CENTCOM is misleading the White House about this and is not telling the truth.
- Ankara is determined to continue military operations.
- Let's move on to the most important part of the work: for the first time, the United States has signaled that it is ready to "talk about Syria strategically." In the coming days, negotiations on this issue should not come as a surprise to anyone.
The topics in relations between the two countries are not limited to this. For now, let's put an end to it, and consider the rest of the details in another article.
Author: Hande Fırat
* A terrorist organization, banned in the Russian Federation