ANKARA: Turkey is absolutely dedicated to its duties to Nato, its defence minister advised Reuters, amid concern amongst some Western allies that Ankara could also be tilting away from the West.
Final month, President Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Turkey desires to be a accomplice within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – a safety, political and financial membership launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances – including there was no purpose for it not be a everlasting member of the group.
Defence Minister Yasar Guler mentioned in a written interview that Turkey’s membership of Nato doesn’t stop it from growing relations with the SCO.
“Aside from that, our precedence is to fulfil our duties to Nato as an vital ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus needs to be that Nato is ready, decided and robust,” he added.
Ankara’s curiosity within the BRICS group of countries and its pleasant ties with Russia, specifically in power, tourism and defence, have stirred fears amongst Western nations that Turkey’s alliances could also be pivoting. Nonetheless, Ankara has repeatedly mentioned it stays a dedicated Nato ally.
Because it was sanctioned by america and faraway from the F-35 fighter jet programme resulting from its acquisition of Russian S-400 defences, Ankara has been working to acquire 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernisation kits from Washington. The deal was authorised after Turkey’s blessing of Sweden’s Nato bid.
Guler mentioned the acquisition of the jets was persevering with consistent with the set calendar and talks on the main points of the deal have been underway.
“We’re happy with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernisation, and we hope the venture shall be accomplished and not using a drawback till the final jet is delivered,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not Turkey wished to return to the F-35 programme, Guler mentioned talks between Ankara and Washington continued on the matter.
He added Turkey remained fascinated with shopping for 40 Eurofighter Storm fighter jets from Germany, Britain, and Spain, however that there was no concrete improvement but and he hoped for a constructive response from its allies.
Normalisation with Syria
Final month, Erdogan mentioned he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to debate normalising ties, which Ankara severed after the 2011 Syrian battle. However, Assad has mentioned such talks might solely occur if the neighbours deal with core points, together with the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the north of Syria.
Guler mentioned the neighbours might meet at a ministerial degree once more – as a part of Ankara’s regional appeal offensive launched in 2020 – if appropriate situations are created.
“We’re prepared to supply all of the help we will for a complete structure to be accepted, totally free elections to be held, and for a complete normalisation and safety environment to be created, and solely when these are finished and the safety of our border is absolutely ensured will we do what is critical by means of mutual coordination,” he mentioned, in response to a query on the potential for a Turkish pullout from Syria.
He additionally mentioned current joint steps taken by Turkey and Iraq when it comes to counter-terrorism marked a “turning level” in ties, including technical work on establishing a joint operations centre for navy actions was persevering with.
He added that the Iraqi a part of a deliberate Growth Street Mission commerce hall with Iraq, Turkey, Qatar and the UAE, was below menace from the outlawed Kurdistan Staff Celebration (PKK) militia and wanted securing.
Final month, President Tayyip Erdogan mentioned Turkey desires to be a accomplice within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) – a safety, political and financial membership launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances – including there was no purpose for it not be a everlasting member of the group.
Defence Minister Yasar Guler mentioned in a written interview that Turkey’s membership of Nato doesn’t stop it from growing relations with the SCO.
“Aside from that, our precedence is to fulfil our duties to Nato as an vital ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus needs to be that Nato is ready, decided and robust,” he added.
Ankara’s curiosity within the BRICS group of countries and its pleasant ties with Russia, specifically in power, tourism and defence, have stirred fears amongst Western nations that Turkey’s alliances could also be pivoting. Nonetheless, Ankara has repeatedly mentioned it stays a dedicated Nato ally.
Because it was sanctioned by america and faraway from the F-35 fighter jet programme resulting from its acquisition of Russian S-400 defences, Ankara has been working to acquire 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernisation kits from Washington. The deal was authorised after Turkey’s blessing of Sweden’s Nato bid.
Guler mentioned the acquisition of the jets was persevering with consistent with the set calendar and talks on the main points of the deal have been underway.
“We’re happy with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernisation, and we hope the venture shall be accomplished and not using a drawback till the final jet is delivered,” he mentioned.
Requested whether or not Turkey wished to return to the F-35 programme, Guler mentioned talks between Ankara and Washington continued on the matter.
He added Turkey remained fascinated with shopping for 40 Eurofighter Storm fighter jets from Germany, Britain, and Spain, however that there was no concrete improvement but and he hoped for a constructive response from its allies.
Normalisation with Syria
Final month, Erdogan mentioned he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to debate normalising ties, which Ankara severed after the 2011 Syrian battle. However, Assad has mentioned such talks might solely occur if the neighbours deal with core points, together with the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the north of Syria.
Guler mentioned the neighbours might meet at a ministerial degree once more – as a part of Ankara’s regional appeal offensive launched in 2020 – if appropriate situations are created.
“We’re prepared to supply all of the help we will for a complete structure to be accepted, totally free elections to be held, and for a complete normalisation and safety environment to be created, and solely when these are finished and the safety of our border is absolutely ensured will we do what is critical by means of mutual coordination,” he mentioned, in response to a query on the potential for a Turkish pullout from Syria.
He additionally mentioned current joint steps taken by Turkey and Iraq when it comes to counter-terrorism marked a “turning level” in ties, including technical work on establishing a joint operations centre for navy actions was persevering with.
He added that the Iraqi a part of a deliberate Growth Street Mission commerce hall with Iraq, Turkey, Qatar and the UAE, was below menace from the outlawed Kurdistan Staff Celebration (PKK) militia and wanted securing.
