According to Turkey’s defense minister, it remains loyal to its Nato responsibilities amid concerns of some Western countries that Ankara is moving away from the west.
Last month, President Tayyip Erdogan stated that Turkey wants to be a member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), an economic, political and security club established in 2001 by Russia, China and some Central Asian states as an alternative to Western alliances and there is no reason why it cannot become a permanent member.
Yasar Guler, Minister of Defence of Turkey has said in answer to written interview questions that its membership of NATO does not prevent it from building relations with SCO.
“Other than this we should focus on meeting our obligations as important Nato allies and enhancing the solidarity with our allies. That which we have to keep in mind is that Nato should be ready, committed and strong,” he added.
Turkey’s interest in BRICS nations and warm ties with Russia such as energy, tourism and defense sectors have caused jitters among western powers about its shifts. Nevertheless, Ankara has time again reiterated that it still remains a committed Nato ally.
For example, after being sanctioned by the United States when it acquired Russian S-400 defences prompting its exclusion from F-35 fighter jet programme for which it had been contracted Ankara has been working towards buying 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 upgrade kits from Washington. The deal was approved following Turkey’s nodding through Sweden’s request to join Nato.
Guler confirmed that the purchase of the planes was on schedule while discussions were under way on specific terms of agreement.
“I am glad there is agreement on procurement of modernization plus F-16s; I hope everything will go smoothly until delivery of last plane,” he noted.
When asked if Turkey still wanted back into F-35 programme after acquiring Russia’s S400 missile defence system, Guler replied talks between Ankara and Washington were ongoing.
He added that Turkey was still interested in acquiring 40 Eurofighter Typhoons from Germany, Britain and Spain but nothing has been agreed yet and he looked forward to a positive response from its partners.
Normalization with Syria
Last month, Erdogan said he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss normalising ties, which Ankara severed after the 2011 Syrian war. But Assad said such talks would only be possible if they focused on key matters including removal of Turkish troops from northern Syria.
Guler added that ministers could meet again as part of Ankara’s regional charm offensive launched last year if good conditions emerge.
“We are ready to support as much as we can for a comprehensive accepted constitution, holding free elections and creating an all-encompassing normalization and security atmosphere. Only when these are done and our border is completely secured shall we act accordingly through mutual coordination,” he answered regarding possible Turkish pullout from Syria.
In addition, Guler stated that recent joint steps taken together by Turkey and Iraq in terms of counter-terrorism paved the way for a “turning point” between them adding technical work on establishing a joint operations center for military activities was ongoing.
He stated that the part of Iraq that belonged to a Development Road Project trade route with Turkey, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar was in danger from Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) outlawed guerrillas.
