Türkiye’s Priority is Fulfilling NATO Responsibilities, Defense Minister Says

Türkiye's Defense Minister Yasar Guler, second left, speaks with members of his delegation during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in defense ministers session at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Thursday, Feb. 15, 2024. (AP)

Türkiye is fully committed to its responsibilities to NATO, its defense minister told Reuters, amid concern amongst some Western allies that Ankara may be tilting away from the West.
Last month, President Tayyip Erdogan said Türkiye wants to be a partner in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) - a security, political and economic club launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances - adding there was no reason for it not be a permanent member of the group.
Defense Minister Yasar Guler said in a written interview that Türkiye’s membership of NATO does not prevent it from developing relations with the SCO.
"Apart from that, our priority is to fulfill our responsibilities to NATO as an important ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus should be that NATO is prepared, determined and strong," he added.
Ankara's interest in the BRICS group of nations and its friendly ties with Russia, namely in energy, tourism and defense, have stirred fears among Western nations that Türkiye's alliances may be pivoting. However, Ankara has repeatedly said it remains a committed NATO ally.
Since it was sanctioned by the United States and removed from the F-35 fighter jet program due to its acquisition of Russian S-400 defenses, Ankara has been working to procure 40 Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernisation kits from Washington. The deal was approved after Türkiye's blessing of Sweden's NATO bid.
Guler said the acquisition of the jets was continuing in line with the set calendar and talks on the details of the deal were underway.
"We are pleased with the accord reached on the procurement of the F-16s and modernisation, and we hope the project will be completed without a problem until the last jet is delivered," he said.
Asked whether Türkiye wanted to return to the F-35 program, Guler said talks between Ankara and Washington continued on the matter.
He added Türkiye remained interested in buying 40 Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets from Germany, Britain, and Spain, but that there was no concrete development yet and he hoped for a positive response from its allies.