Albayrak’s ministry said in a statement on Friday, August 17, that both ministers spoke by phone and discussed US sanctions against Turkey.

The two ministers decided to work closely to develop cooperation between both countries and agreed to meet in Paris on August 27, the statement read.

Tensions between the United States and Turkey have been strained amid Turkey’s detention of Brunson. Turkey has accused Brunson of backing a coup attempt against President Recep Tayyip Erdogan two years ago. The US pastor denies the charges.

US President Donald Trump said on Friday the United States was not going to take Turkey’s detention of Brunson “sitting down”.

Trump’s comments came few hours after a Turkish court rejected to release the American pastor from house arrest.

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