The minister of national defense of Turkey stated that the country has been a NATO member for more than 70 years and expects its allies to fulfill their obligations, TASS reports.
According to Hulusi Akar, these obligations apply also to the US authorities in the context of the F-16 fighter jet deal.
“We [i.e., Turkey] have been a member of NATO for 71 years, we fulfill our obligations, and we expect our allies to fulfill their obligations. Judging by all the statements by the White House and the Pentagon, the matter of the sale of F-16s to Turkey and the modernization of the existing planes is moving towards the positive. However, there are separate negative expressions from the US Congress,” Akar noted.
As per the Turkish defense minister, Ankara expects a more balanced approach from Washington and the US Congress regarding the F-16s, as the decision on the sale of these US-made fighter jets to Turkey will benefit NATO.
Akar added that this deal will make the Turkish side stronger, which means it will help NATO as well.
