Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that U.S Senator, Bob Menendez’s resignation as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee increases his country’s chances of acquiring F-16 fighter jets from the U.S.
Turkey has been seeking to buy new F-16s, as well as kits to upgrade its existing fleet. The request was approved by the White House but it faced opposition in Congress.
Ankara’s request for F-16 fighter jets and modernization kits was made in October 2021. The $6 billion deal would include the sale of 40 jets as well as modernization kits for 79 warplanes already in the Turkish Air Force inventory.
Menendez, the Senior Democratic Senator for New Jersey, has been a vocal opponent of Turkey receiving aircraft to update its fighter fleet, raising concerns about Turkey’s human rights records as well as blaming Ankara for tense relations with neighboring Greece.
The Senator resigned from the influential role last week following federal charges that he took cash and gold in illegal exchange for helping the Egyptian government and New Jersey business associates.
Speaking to reporters on a flight from Azerbaijan, Erdogan noted, “One of our most important problems regarding the F-16s were the activities of U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez against our country.”
“Menendez’s exit gives us an advantage but the F-16 issue is not an issue that depends only on Menendez,” Erdogan added.
Erdogan disclosed that the Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan will follow the issue of Ankara’s bid to purchase F-16 fighter jets and upgrade kits from the U.S “closely.”
“In fact, U.S Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Hakan Fidan met in the U.S three or four days ago. These talks are still ongoing. But now, it would be beneficial to turn this situation into an opportunity and meet with him again.
“We may have the opportunity to accelerate the process regarding the F-16s.”
Recep Tayyip Erdogan
“We now expect a clear answer from the U.S on this issue. We hope that we will get the positive result we expect without too much delay,” he added.
Netanyahu To Visit Turkey
Erdogan also raised the prospect of a visit to Turkey by Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
“I think Netanyahu’s visit to Turkey, which was postponed due to illness, will take place around October-November, and contacts are still ongoing in order to hold it at the most appropriate time,” Erdogan said.
Netanyahu was due to travel to Turkey in July, but postponed the trip as he had a pacemaker implanted.
Last week, the two leaders met for the first time in New York while attending the U.N. General Assembly.
Israel is one of a number of regional powers that Turkey has been mending relations with in recent years, after more than a decade of hostility.
Moreover, Erdogan touched on the issue of Cyprus, which is divided between ethnic Turkish and Greek communities for 49 years.
He reiterated his support for a two-state solution, with international recognition for the Turkish administration in the island’s north.
Turkey is the only country to recognize the breakaway entity. The international community broadly supports the unification of the island under a federal system.
“We will raise our voices even more for Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to be recognized by other countries,” Erdogan said.
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