By Sarp Ozer</p> <p>ANKARA (AA) – In a phone call Thursday, Turkey’s defense minister spoke with his U.S. counterpart, according to an official Turkish statement.</p> <p>The conversation between Turkey’s Hulusi Akar and Patrick Shanahan, the acting U.S. defense secretary, addressed recent developments in Syria.</p> <p>The call also touched on defense ties between the two countries, said a Turkish Defense Ministry statement.
In recent months Turkey and the U.S. have been discussing coordination over the pullout of U.S. military forces from Syria.
Turkey's purchase of U.S. F-35 fighter planes has also been up for discussion, with U.S. officials suggesting Turkey's acquisition of Russian S-400 missile defense might endanger the deal.
Turkish officials have said they will not tolerate any interference in what weapons it buys for the nation's defense.
- Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez
