US Ambassador to Ankara Jeff Flake told reporters, echoing similar remarks by the Turkish foreign minister on Thursday that the United States decision on potential sale of F-16 fighter jets heading to Turkey and bids to join NATO of Sweden and Finland are “not related”.
talk to a group of To reporters, Ambassador Flick said that his country “always seeks to obtain as many high-level engagements as possible between the two countries countries. “
About the meeting of the Turkish-American strategic mechanism held in Washington, yesterday, between Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and the US Secretary of State of State Antony Blinken, Flake said the two parties “addressed many important issues.”
Obviously, Secretary Blinken thanked Foreign Minister Cavusoglu for Turkey work with Grain Initiative (Ukraine), with It is strong and consistent support for Ukrainian Sovereign, and for the support that you give to NATO — (for) 70 years (Turkey has been) an important and valuable member,” Flick said.
on potential sale of F-16 fighter and F-16 upgrade kits, the American diplomat reiterated that the process is “now in gradual review before Congress, “saying that there is” no connection “between the sale of F-16s and NATO membership bids of Sweden and Finland, which are awaiting approval from Turkey, Flick added: “The US Congress has invested a great Deal in This war to help Ukraine in fighting back Russian aggression both financially and leading This is amazing coalition. They see this as critical, but there is no correlation.”
Desire to see Sweden and Finland join NATO is global in Congress.”
Flick continued, “There is a technical number, I think, a certain number of days given to committee (congress) review This is amazing in graded review Practical…but these are not fixed dates.”
In October, Ankara made request to Washington for 40 F-16s and modernization kit, while the State Department last Week unofficially notified Congress of potential sale.
about the Turkey talks with Flick told the Assad regime in Syria: “The United States remains He opposes engagement and normalization of relations with The Assad regime, given what it has done to it people over the years. We still oppose it.”
On security issues related to northern Syria, Turkish officials warned of Flick said that a “terror corridor” is being formed along its borders if no action is taken dialogue Between Turkey and the United States continues. Turkey has long expressed its opposition to US cooperation with YPG/PKK terrorist, one of terrorist groups that have made border source of Henf. they have also Be warned that Turkish territory crosses borders offensive May be needed to eliminate the YPG/PKK terrorist threat.
