Turkey urges US to keep F-16 promises amid stalled NATO bid by Sweden

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan informed US colleague Antony Blinken over the phone on Wednesday that Turkey expected the US to uphold its commitment to the NATO alliance and act in accordance with the agreement over the delivery of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.

News agency Reuters quoted a Turkish diplomatic official as saying that the contact was made at the US side’s request, one day after a Turkish parliamentary commission decided to support Sweden’s application to join NATO. For the bid to be ratified, the general assembly of the parliament must also approve it.

“Fidan stated that, regarding the sale of F-16s, we expect the US administration and US Congress to act in line with the spirit of alliance and keep the promises made,” the Turkish diplomatic official added.

(With agency inputs)