ANKARA

Turkey wants to maintain its ties with the U.S. following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections, head of the Turkey-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group Ali Sarikaya said in Ankara on Wednesday.

In a written statement, Sarikaya, who is an MP of the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party from Istanbul, said: "I want to express clearly that we are open to any kind of dialogue and cooperation with the new members of the U.S. Congress."

He said relations between the two countries could be enhanced further through "concrete and further cooperation" in the "common fight" against terrorism, especially against the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) and the PKK.

Sarikaya also said relations between two sides had become "more crucial" following regional clashes and international terrorism, which threatened global security and stability.

He believed cooperation between the two friendly and allied nations would further strengthen in the upcoming days, contributing to the solutions of regional and global issues.

"The Turkey-U.S. Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group is ready to provide the necessary contribution and support to further strengthen our country's strategic partnership with the U.S. against existing risks and threats and within the basis of our NATO alliance," Sarikaya said.