US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said that he expects a meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the Scottish city of Glasgow, on the sidelines of the Climate Summit. Biden.
Sullivan added in a press conference, yesterday, Thursday, on board the presidential plane that he could not confirm the meeting now, but what is expected at the present time is that it will take place, as he put it.
Sullivan explained that Turkey is no longer participating in the F-35 fighter jet program, and that with regard to the F-16 fighter jet program, "there is a process on how countries submit requests to purchase it and related equipment," explaining that "Turkey is participating in this process and will continue."
Turkey's exclusion
Washington has excluded Ankara from the F-35 fighter jet program due to Turkey's purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system.
The Turkish and American presidents will participate in the G20 summit in Rome next Saturday and Sunday, and then travel to the city of Glasgow in the north of the United Kingdom to participate in the climate summit, which runs from October 31 to November 12.
The Turkish president said two days ago that there is a need to discuss the nature of Washington's plan to return Turkey's payments within the F-35 fighter jet program.
The Turkish president said two days ago that he would meet his American counterpart in Glasgow, and that the F-35 fighter jet file would be the most important item in the talks between them.
Erdogan added, "Of course, the file of the F-35 aircraft will be the most important item for us in this meeting. We have made a payment of one billion and 400 million dollars (in the framework of the program to produce the most advanced American fighters), and the Turkish President mentioned that there is a need to discuss the nature of the American plan related to returning This payment is to Turkey, and the issue will be raised in the meeting with President Biden.
previous contacts
Last Wednesday, the US National Security Adviser and Ibrahim Kalin, Erdogan's adviser, discussed defense issues and ways to resolve differences between the two countries, as well as details of the upcoming meeting between Erdogan and Biden.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar also had a phone call on Wednesday to discuss ways of cooperation, as well as defense and regional security issues.