VOICEPRESS reports citing Turkish media that the meeting of the board, chaired by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, lasted almost one and half a hours.

In a statement, Communications Director Fahrettin Altun said the board discussed the US’ sanctions decision and matters pertaining to education and family institution.

The US’ decision of unilateral sanctions on Turkey, a NATO ally, was condemned, it said, adding the steps to be taken against this wrong decision on issues of national security and sovereignty of Turkey were evaluated.

In April 2017, when its protracted efforts to buy an air defence system from the US proved fruitless, Turkey signed a contract with Russia to acquire the S-400 shield.

US officials have voiced opposition to their deployment, claiming they would be incompatible with NATO systems and would expose next-generation F-35 jets to possible Russian subterfuge.