Last minute… F-16 statement from Minister Çavuşoğlu: Rapid completion of the process is beneficial for both sides
Last minute… F-16 statement from Minister Çavuşoğlu: Rapid completion of the process is beneficial for both sides.
Holding a joint press conference with his US counterpart, Blinken, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that the US administration supported the demand regarding the F-16 and underlined that the rapid completion of the process would be beneficial for both sides. “We understand the security concerns on Turkey’s southern border,” said Blinken, adding, “We continue to work together at the moment.”
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu held a joint press conference with his US counterpart, Blinken.
“We expect the sanctions to be lifted as soon as possible,” said Çavuşoğlu, adding that the US administration supports the demand for the F-16.
Çavuşoğlu underlined that the speedy completion of the process is for the benefit of both parties.
Çavuşoğlu said, ‘We want an official notification to the Congress on this matter as soon as possible,’ and added that Turkey expects the Congress to assume a supportive role.
Speaking about Sweden and Finland’s membership to NATO, Çavuşoğlu said, “As Turkey, we evaluated our expectations from the two candidate countries.”
‘USA PEOPLE IS ON YOUR SUPPORT TO SUPPORT YOU’
Blinken, who made his first official visit to Turkey, said, “I brought the message of President Biden, the people of the USA are with you to support you.”
Blinken stated that after the earthquake disaster, the USA sent many teams to the region. The US minister announced that Washington has decided to provide an additional $ 100 Million In Support.
Stating that countries cannot agree on every issue, Blinken said, ‘We will continue to sit side by side as friends and allies’.
‘WE ARE ALWAYS BY SIDE ON COMMON SECURITY ISSUES’
Saying ‘We are always side by side on common security issues’, the US minister continued his words as follows;
Montreux is very important for the protection of the Black Sea and the protection of the Ukrainian coast. The United States has appreciated Turkey’s long-standing NATO membership. Turkey and the USA also continue their studies on international terrorism. Turkey’s relations with Greece and Armenia are very important. Air power is very important in Turkey’s NATO.’
F-16 DESCRIPTION FROM BLINKEN
Upon a question from Blinken, he said that the Biden administration supports Turkey on the F-16 issue.
The US minister said, ‘as the administration, your work continues to provide support’. Çavuşoğlu, on the other hand, emphasized that Turkey does not look forward to a conditional sale. Çavuşoğlu said, ‘We do not favor a conditional sale, it would not be right’.
F-35 MESSAGE FROM ÇAVUŞOĞLU: REFUND MUST BE MADE
Çavuşoğlu underlined that the US’s F-35 decision was unilateral and stated that Turkey should be paid back.
“It would not be the right approach to stipulate the NATO membership of the two countries for the purchase of F-16s,” Çavuşoğlu said. It is critical to demonstrate a common position on this issue. We were partners of the F-35 program. We were removed under the CAATSA sanction. We are waiting for the money we paid to be refunded. Negotiations are continuing for this,” he said.
Çavuşoğlu stated that they warned that visa processes should be accelerated and there should be better cooperation and coordination before the announcements from the embassies.
“Yes, Sweden gave some positive messages, but unfortunately we see that the PKK terrorist organization continues all kinds of activities in Sweden,” he said. Stating that the purpose of this is to prevent Sweden’s membership, Çavuşoğlu said, ‘It is in Sweden’s hands to prevent this.’
Çavuşoğlu stated that Sweden should take quick steps for the process to work, and said, ‘Everyone needs to encourage Sweden to take concrete steps here’.
‘WE UNDERSTAND TURKEY’S SECURITY CONCERNS’
“We understand the security concerns on Turkey’s southern border,” said Blinken, adding, “We continue to work together at the moment.” Çavuşoğlu emphasized that cooperation with the terrorist organization was a fatal mistake.
Reminding the US’s commitments in Syria, Çavuşoğlu emphasized that it is not right to cooperate with a terrorist organization such as the PKK/YPG against DAESH and said, “It is not right for a NATO country to support a terrorist organization.”
Regarding the sanctions against Russia, Çavuşoğlu said, ‘We say that we will not allow the US And EU Sanctions To Be Pierced Through Turkey, And That The Sanctions Will Be Bypassed, And We Do Not Allow It’.
