US statement on Turkey and NATO
In the information form shared by the US State Department, “Turkey and the US are long-term allies and partners of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). We have a proud history of working together in times of crisis and regional security and prosperity.” It was emphasized that the aid will continue to those affected by the earthquake with its epicenter in Kahramanmaraş that took place on February 6.
Noting that US-Turkey relations are based on “deeply rooted friendship,” it was emphasized that the two states’ diplomatic history dates back to 1831 during the Ottoman Empire and post-republic relations advanced further. with the “Economic and Technical Cooperation Agreement signed on July 12, 1947”.
It was also claimed that Turkey, which has been a NATO member since 1952, supports missions around the world, including Afghanistan, Iraq and the Balkans.
US-TURKEY STRATEGIC MECHANISM
The US-Turkey Strategic Mechanism between the two countries was also mentioned in the information form of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in that framework, on January 18, 2023, US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and his Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu met for the fourth time and the strengthening of the US-Turkey defense partnership, including the modernization of the Turkish Air Force, was said to have been discussed.
The information form referred to the fact that the two countries “maintain close coordination and cooperation in all types of anti-terrorism efforts” within the framework of regional security cooperation.
It was also noted that Turkey welcomes its diplomatic leadership in working with the UN to resolve the grain crisis in the Russia-Ukraine war and “support global food security.”
Finally, the relations between the Turkish and American peoples, the academic and cultural ties between the two countries and the growing commercial activities were mentioned.
US ANNOUNCED ADDITIONAL HELP FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a statement on Twitter, announced that after the earthquakes centered on Kahramanmaraş, humanitarian aid to Turkey and Syria was increased to $185 million.
Antony Blinken, announcing that in addition to the $85 million in aid provided so far, he will provide an additional $100 million in humanitarian aid, “The United States will continue to support the Turkish and Syrian people.” he had used the phrase.