(Bloomberg) -- President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to convene his top defense body on Thursday to discuss a U.S. proposal to sell Patriot missile defense systems to Turkey, according to a senior Turkish official.
The Presidency of Defense Industries is expected to hold a preliminary discussion on a possible purchase of the American system, the official said, asking not to be identified because he wasn't authorized to disclose the meeting plans.
Turkey's presidency confirmed the planned meeting but wouldn't say what was on the agenda.
U.S. Backs Patriot Missile Sale to Turkey in Breakthrough
Although a detailed assessment is unlikely at such an early stage, the discussion itself reflects the rapid detente between Ankara and Washington that's currently underway after years of strain that culminated with since-lifted U.S. sanctions on Turkey.
U.S. President Donald Trump gave an additional boost to the relationship earlier this month when he agreed to withdraw troops from Syria, signaling an end to his support for Kurdish groups that Turkey deems terrorists.
To contact the reporter on this story: Firat Kozok in Ankara at fkozok@bloomberg.net
To contact the editors responsible for this story: Alaa Shahine at asalha@bloomberg.net, ;Onur Ant at oant@bloomberg.net, ;Riad Hamade at rhamade@bloomberg.net, ;Benjamin Harvey at bharvey11@bloomberg.net, Amy Teibel, Shaji Mathew
©2018 Bloomberg L.P.
Essential Business Intelligence, Continuous LIVE TV, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.
