ANKARA: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan was quoted on Tuesday as saying that positive developments in the US deal for F-16 fighter jets with Ankara and the potential lifting of Canada’s arms embargo could pave the way for Turkey’s parliament to endorse Sweden’s NATO membership bid.
After years of non-alignment, Sweden and Finland sought NATO membership last year following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkiye, a NATO member, raised objections, citing concerns over the two countries’ alleged support for groups deemed as terrorists by Ankara.
While Turkiye endorsed Finland’s membership bid in April, it, along with Hungary, has delayed approval for Sweden.
Erdogan remarked, “Positive developments we expect both on (procuring US) F-16s and Canada’s promises (on lifting its arms embargo) would help our parliament to have a positive approach to Sweden… All of them are linked,” during a press briefing on a return flight from Hungary, as reported by his office.
Turkiye’s Request for 40 F-16 Fighter Jets
In October 2021, Turkiye requested the purchase of 40 Lockheed Martin Corp (LMT.N) F-16 fighters and 79 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.
The $20-billion sale, supported by US President Joe Biden’s administration, has faced objections in the US Congress, primarily related to Turkiye’s delay in endorsing Sweden’s NATO entry and concerns over its human rights record.
Canada has quietly agreed to reopen talks with its NATO ally Turkiye on lifting export controls on drone parts, including optical equipment, following Erdogan’s indication in July that Sweden would gain approval from Ankara, as reported by Reuters.
Erdogan noted that he discussed Sweden’s NATO accession with US President Joe Biden in a call last week. “In the call, Mr. Biden said: ‘You pass this (Sweden’s NATO bid) from the parliament, and I will get it (F-16 sale) passed from the Congress,'” Erdogan stated.
