Turkish and U.S. delegations have begun "negotiating" the U.S. Patriot missile purchase after Ankara received a positive response from Washington about the sale, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, Trend reported citing Daily Sabah.
"Now the Americans said they could sell the Patriot, and our delegations are negotiating," Cavusoglu said during a television interview, adding that Ankara finally received a positive response from Washington to its letter sent nearly two years ago about the purchase.
He added that while negotiations have begun, Turkey has important considerations about the cost, delivery schedule and technology transfer in the future. While Turkey hopes to secure the purchase of the Patriot systems, it can also turn to other options if negotiations with the U.S. do not turn out in its favor, Cavusoglu said.