Menendez: No “victory” for Turkey for the F-16s – the blockade remains

The defense budget United States of America She does not give way to ceremonies on her behalf turkeyThe chairman of the Senate International Affairs Committee explains, Robert Menendezdeclaring that it applies to the integer n Intensification who in Sale F16 As long as he does not change his position x Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In his Twitter message, Robert Menendez confirmed in a very clear way how No victory for Turkey US defense budget for 2023 (NDAA), stressing that the ban on the sale is in place unless Turkey deviates from its tactics of provocations and violations.

“Contrary to some claims, the defense budget is not a victory for Turkey. This is just one of the many tools at our disposal in the Senate when it comes to arms sales. I will say it again. As Chairman of the International Affairs Committee, I will not approve F-16s for Turkey until it is halted.” Erdogan abuses in the region,” according to a report by Robert Menendez.

Senator Menendez continues to maintain veto As Chairman of the US Senate International Relations Committee and thus remains the politician who He holds the “keys” to the F-16s.

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Minister said, Mevlüt Çavuşoğluhas been indicated official ringtones regarding the US sale of F-16s, while ignoring the congressional letter about flights over the Greek islands.

“Technical talks on the F16 continue in a constructive manner. It was confirmed that the United States fully supports the F-16. They said this is also beneficial for NATO and the Coalition. We welcome developments regarding the national defense decision.”

In the same mood, he also referred to the decision Turkish press.

Turkish Network Anatolia It was announced in the early hours of Wednesday morning (7/12) that the amendment that provided for the conditions for the sale of fighters to Ankara had been withdrawn from the final defense budget bill. The article refers to both adjustment Democratic Senators Robert Bob Menendez and Chris Van Hollen brought in and tied the sale of the F-16s to Turkey to specific terms. As the Turkish agency claims, Turkey’s diplomatic efforts in Washington brought “this change” to Congress.

Hurriyet argued that the decision created a climate of panic in Greece:

Congress: Let there be no sorties

It is worth noting that the US Congress, earlier on Wednesday (7/12) sent a clear message to Turkey regarding flight On the Greek Islands, which included a relevant reference in the accompanying text to the defense budget (NDAA) that was completed on Tuesday night.

“We believe that NATO allies should not conduct unauthorized overflights in the airspace of other NATO allies,” US lawmakers noted in the accompanying explanatory text to the House and Senate defense committees.

The specific wording is seen as a legislative statement of intent from Congress to the Biden administration, as it sends the message that Ankara’s challenges in the Aegean Sea must be addressed before the White House sends formal notification of the F-16 deal to Congress.

The specified report on the overflight is the result Negotiation which took months in Congress to include an amendment in the text of the bill. In particular, in the section on the transfer of F-16s, which is titled “Restrictions on the Transfer of F-16s,” it is indicated that the text of the House of Representatives included an amendment by Chris Pope, which would prohibit the American president from selling or authorizing a license to export New F-16 aircraft, technology upgrade, or modernization kits to Turkey, unless the President provides certain certifications. Next, it is noted that the Senate text does not contain a similar amendment and therefore the final text does not include such a provision.

It should be noted, however, that Amendments was just an add-on from the start, as the Senator Robert Menendez He still holds veto power as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and thus is still seen as the politician who holds the keys to the F-16s. In fact, in a recent interview with ERT, he once again reiterated that he would not agree to give the fighter jets to Turkey.