In troubled US-Turkey relations, F-16 deal seen as path for dialogue
US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Sunday to discuss an F-16 fighter jet purchase, which analysts see as an avenue for “positive” dialogue amid bilateral tensions.
ISTANBUL — Following several scheduling changes, US President Joe Biden and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Rome Sunday to discuss the nations’ troubled tensions.
High on Erdogan’s agenda was a request to purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets and about 80 modernization kits to upgrade Turkey’s aging fleet. Erdogan said Sunday Biden was receptive in discussions regarding the jet deal and they talked in a “positive atmosphere.”
Erdogan expanded on the statements Monday after abruptly canceling plans to attend the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow over alleged disagreements on security arrangements, telling reporters aboard his Turkey-bound flight he expected Biden to help in the approval process for the F-16 deal.
According to Turkish media reports, Erdogan said Biden told him the purchase confirmation would need to go through the US Congress and “we may not get results very soon.” But Biden pledged to do his best.
