Turkish media reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated today, Thursday, that "the Turkish Parliament will fulfill its promise to ratify Sweden's request to join NATO if U.S. President Joe Biden's administration paves the way for selling F-16 fighter jets to Ankara." Speaking to journalists during his return trip from the Nakhchivan exclave in Azerbaijan, he noted that "Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his U.S. counterpart Antony Blinken discussed Sweden's NATO membership request last week in New York." Erdogan emphasized that "the U.S. administration is linking the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey with Ankara's ratification of Stockholm's request." He added, "If (the U.S.) fulfills its promises, our Parliament will fulfill its promise as well. The Turkish Parliament will have the final say regarding Sweden's NATO membership."
In a separate context, Erdogan mentioned today, Tuesday, that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may visit Turkey in October or November, adding that he will reciprocate the visit afterwards. Erdogan and Netanyahu met face-to-face for the first time last week during the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as both countries seek to repair their long-strained relations. Following the General Assembly meetings, Erdogan stated that Israel and Turkey would take rapid steps in the energy exploration sector. He also asserted that the so-called Zangezur trade corridor, passing through Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran, should be completed following his meeting with his Azerbaijani counterpart.
