Turkey’s FM hopeful for F-16s after meeting with Blinken, reiterates opposition to Sweden, Finland

Photo: AA

The US and Turkey are “committed to working closely together to face current geopolitical challenges,” the Foreign Ministry of Turkey and the US State Department said in a joint statement yesterday (May 18).

The joint statement issued after a meeting between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in New York said the top diplomats “intend to deepen bilateral cooperation through constructive and open dialogue as envisioned by the US-Turkey Strategic Mechanism.”

“They discussed ways and assessed concrete steps to enhance their cooperation on defense issues, counterterrorism, energy and food security, combating climate change, and boosting trade ties, all while agreeing to intensify consultations on a range of regional issues.

“They also reiterated their strong support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russia’s unacceptable war. Within this framework, Turkey and the United States reaffirmed their support to find a solution to end the war.”

F-16s

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Çavuşoğlu said talks with the US regarding the sale of new F-16 jets to Ankara were on a “positive trajectory.”

He noted a State Department letter to reporters in New York that addressed the US Congress, which said the delivery of the jets “is not only important for Turkey, but for the US.”

“I can say that our negotiations and the meetings are going on positively, and the Congress should work on it as well,” said Çavuşoğlu.

“Most of the messages coming from the Congress regarding Turkish and US relations are positive and our diplomats are in close correspondence as with many of the parliamentarians and they have held many meetings.”

He noted that “this positive approach” will continue.

A 6 billion dollar deal would include the sale of 40 newly built F-16V fighter jets and modernization kits for 80 F-16 C/D models that the Turkish Air Forces has in its inventory.

The Turkish government requested the F-16s and modernization kits in October 2021.

Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership

Çavuşoğlu reiterated Turkey’s opposition to the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland at a joint press conference with Blinken head of the meeting.

“Yes, we see the threat in our region, and that’s the reason we see that Finland and Sweden want to be NATO members. Turkey has been supporting the ‘open door’ policy of NATO even before this war,” said Çavuşoğlu, according to a press release by the US State Department.

“But with regards to these possible candidates — or already candidate countries — we have also legitimate security concerns that they had been supporting terrorist organizations. And there are also export restrictions on defense products.

“So we have already expressed our concerns. And I had a candid and direct talk with two colleagues, Ann and Pekka, in Berlin. So, we understand their security concerns, but Turkey’s security concerns should also be met. And this is also one of — one issue that we should continue discussing with friends and allies, including the United States.”

For his part, Blinken said, “Today we had Finland and Sweden submit their applications, and this of course is a process, and we will work through that process as Allies and as partners.”

Turkey has opposed the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland, accusing especilly the former of “supporting terrorism.”