Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that Turkey is awaiting the fulfillment of promises made by the United States regarding the country's potential return to the F-35 fighter jet program.
According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Erdogan provided these insights during an interview with the Al Jazeera television network, where he addressed key aspects of international relations and the current geopolitical situation in the region.
Erdogan confirmed that he has received assurances from US President Donald Trump regarding Turkey's re-entry into the F-35 program, emphasizing that Ankara is now expecting concrete steps to implement this commitment. The F-35 program, led by the United States, involves a consortium of nations developing the advanced stealth multirole combat aircraft. Turkey was originally a key partner and manufacturer in the program before being removed in 2019 following its acquisition of the S-400 missile defense system from Russia.
During the interview, the Turkish leader also highlighted the significance of the "Mecca Agreement" signed with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, describing it as a vital message to the international community. He suggested that this cooperation format could expand in the future, noting that Egypt's potential involvement remains a possibility.
Addressing the situation in Syria, Erdogan underscored the necessity of normalizing relations with Damascus and announced plans to visit Syria in the near future. Regarding the conflict in Gaza, the President called on the international community to adopt a more decisive stance. "We cannot leave Gaza alone," he stated, asserting that Hamas has fulfilled its obligations while accusing Israel of hindering peace efforts through continued military actions.
On the topic of relations with the European Union, Erdogan remarked that the EU has shown a reluctance to accept Turkey as a member. He emphasized that EU accession is no longer a primary priority for Ankara, adding that Europe will ultimately be the party that loses out in this stalled process.
