The acquisition of air defense systems is Turkey’s right as a sovereign country, a senior main opposition lawmaker said on Tuesday.
“US SANCTIONS ARE NEVER ACCEPTABLE”
“The purchase of S-400s is Turkey’s sovereign right,” Unal Cevikoz, Istanbul lawmaker from the Republican People’s Party (CHP), said on Twitter, adding that for this reason, US sanctions on Turkey for the purchase are “never acceptable.”
Turkey’s steps, as a NATO ally, to strengthen the country’s defense should be considered a measure to strengthen the alliance’s defense, Cevikoz said.
“TURKEY WAS FORCED TO BUY THE S-400 SYSTEM”
Turkey has been a member of NATO for nearly 70 years.
“Turkey was forced to buy the S-400 system, and used its preference in this direction,” he said, referring to the US repeatedly refusing to sell it US Patriot missiles.
He also urged the government to activate the $2.5 billion defense system “as soon as possible,” a step reportedly delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.
