Turkey, US ties ‘will never be severed,’ says FinMin

Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak on Friday said Turkey and the United States needed to work together to overcome the sanctions spat and flaring tensions that ensued after Turkey refused to release American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.

“The period must be navigated bearing the two countries’ strong historical ties in mind. We must look from today to tomorrow regarding our ties to the U.S.,” Albayrak said.

“I spoke with our foreign minister this morning. Both countries are putting forth a reulst-oriented stance. Our ties will never be severed,” he added.

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, agreed in a meeting in Singapore on Friday to continue to try to resolve issues between the two countries.

On Wednesday, White House spokesperson Sarah Sanders said that the U.S. had imposed sanctions on Süleyman Soylu, the interior minister, and Abdulhamit Gül, the justice minister, for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.

The finance minister also spoke about Turkey's medium-term program.

“We will deliver an announcement in the first half of September. We have spoken to various ministries and initiated a period of austerity. We are aiming for savings of up to 30 percent in the public sector,” Albayrak said.

He added the Turkish economy will be based on healthy and sustainable growth Turkey's economy regains its balance.