Bolton, Turkish envoy meet at White House to discuss US-Turkey relations
WASHINGTON
John Bolton is seen in this file photo by Trevor Collens, Alamy.
U.S. National Security Adviser John Bolton met on Aug. 13 with Turkish ambassador to the U.S. Serdar Kılıç at the White House.
The meeting focused on American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey for terrorism charges, and bilateral relations, according to a statement by White House press secretary Sarah Sanders,
"They discussed Turkey’s continued detention of Pastor Andrew Brunson and the state of the U.S.-Turkey relationship," said the statement.
Last week, a Turkish delegation held talks with officials from the State and Treasury departments. Brunson and relations were also among the topics discussed.
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers for not releasing Brunson.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Aug. 10 doubled U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
"The fact that there's ongoing discussions between the two countries regarding Brunson's return to the U.S. is positive," said Jay Sekulow, an attorney for Trump who is also representing Brunson's family. "I look forward to the Brunson family returning to the U.S."
US should learn they will not achieve results with sanctions against Turkey: Top diplomat
