‘Turkey is not a threat to any country’
In the supply of Turkey F-35’s fighter aircraft and Greece’s stance on this issue were mentioned, among other things, Recep Tayyip Erdogan answering questions of journalists who accompanied him to his return flight from Azerbaijan.
The Turkish president argued that “Greece’s concern about the steps we have taken in the field of defense is inappropriate and meaningless”, saying that “Turkey is not a threat to any country that does not threaten its security and interests and does not show it hostile”.
He also said that he had discussed the issue of the F-35s with Donald Trump at a meeting on the sidelines of the NATO Summit and expressed hope that the US president would remain loyal to the agreement they made on the matter. “I believe that the gradual tradition of the F-35s in Turkey will take place during his term,” Recep Tayyip Erdogan concluded, he said in the RES.
In detail, the Turkish President’s response to the question is as follows:
“We want the F-35s primarily for our own safety. The issue of the F-35s is not just a matter of military technology for us, but also an issue of strong cooperation internationally, such as NATO. Of course, this issue has given us the opportunity to accelerate our efforts in the defense industry. Strengthening our defense infrastructure is not a threat to anyone. Especially for our friends and allies.
At the last NATO summit, a decision was taken to increase the allies’ defense spending. That is, the decision was made that “NATO countries must enhance their defense infrastructure, meet their needs in order to strengthen NATO’s defense”. Therefore, Greece’s concern about the steps we have taken in the field of defense is inappropriate and meaningless. Turkey is not a threat to any country that does not threaten its security and interests and does not show it a hostile attitude. On the contrary, Turkey is a country that makes every effort to secure peace, tranquility and security in its region and in the world and is extremely reliable to its friends. There is no conflict in our surroundings for which Turkey does not try to end it peacefully.
We discussed the subject of the F-35s and we are watching it. I believe that Mr Trump will remain loyal to the agreement we made on this issue. I believe that the gradual tradition of the F-35s in Turkey will take place during his term. “