US, Türkiye discuss sale of F-16s

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has had a phone talk with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

Fidan informed his US counterpart about the approval of Sweden's application to join NATO on December 26 by the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament and expressed hope for Washington's speedy sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara, TRT Haber TV channel reported, citing diplomatic sources.

The phone talk was held at the initiative of the US side.

“The Turkish foreign minister said that the process of ratification of Sweden's application by the Turkish Parliament is ongoing. He called on the US administration and Congress to be guided by the spirit of alliance in the issue of selling the F-16 fighter jets and expressed hope for the speedy implementation of these obligations,” the TV company quoted a source as saying.

The sides also discussed the latest developments in Gaza. In this regard, Fidan spoke in favour of the soonest ceasefire in the region and the beginning of negotiations to ensure lasting peace, the Turkish Foreign Ministry reports.

Earlier, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament by a majority vote approved the ratification protocol on Sweden's admission to NATO.

The document has been submitted to a vote of the General Assembly, but the date of the voting has not yet been announced. The Turkish parliament is due to go on winter break on December 29 and the voting may be held in January 2024.

Head of the relevant committee of the Turkish Parliament, Fuat Oktay, previously told reporters that he does not expect the Swedish application to be ratified soon at the General Assembly.