Turkish PM: We have agreed with USA over our request for unmanned drones

Turkish premier cites agreement with U.S. over request for unmanned drones

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey and the United States have agreed in principle over Turkey’s request concerning U.S. unmanned drones.

“We have placed our offer. We can either buy them or lease them. Our talks are continuing. There is nothing negative about the issue. And yes we have an agreement in principle,” Erdogan replied to a question Friday in New York.

Responding to a question on the Greek Cypiot administration’s offshore drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdogan said a Turkish research vessel had set sail for the region to do seismic studies to explore hydrocarbon reserves around Cyprus.

“If the Greek Cypriot side halts exploration we will do the same. The most important issue for us right now is the healthy continuation of the settlement talks. We do not want any provocation in the negotiations process,” Erdogan said.

On a question about a weapons sanction on Syria, Erdogan said Turkey would stop transportation by land or air of weapons to Syria and seize them.

24 September 2011
SOURCE: CUMHURIYET.COM