NATO Summit: Biden’s thanks to Erdogan – What was said about Aegean and Syria

A meeting that Erdogan wanted very much and Biden made sure to give it to him when he had already said “yes” to Sweden and Finland joining NATO

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden met for an hour on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.

A meeting that Erdogan wanted very much and Biden made sure to give it to him when he had already said “yes” to the membership of Sweden and Finland in NATO as early as Tuesday. The good mood at the beginning was clear, while when the cameras left, issues were raised that are difficult for Ankara, such as the challenges in the Aegean and the developments in Syria.

According to a White House statement, Biden and Erdogan “also discussed the importance of maintaining sterility in the Aegean and Syria.”

The Turkish president’s four-on-four with his American counterpart lasted about an hour and began with Biden thanking Erdogan in front of the cameras for his stance on the issue of Finland and Sweden but also for his efforts to contribute to grain corridor from Ukraine.

“I would like to thank you very much for what you have done in relation to Finland and Sweden, for all the work you have done to help the grain corridor from Ukraine, you have done an excellent job for that and thank you. “And when we have the opportunity, I would like to discuss these issues further,” Biden said at the beginning of the meeting.

“I would also like to mention that I am very happy to be with you after so long. “At this NATO Summit, the agenda is very busy and very important, and tomorrow’s activities will allow us to return to our country with tangible results and satisfaction,” Erdogan said. “We believe that you pioneered and the role you played was crucial for the future of the Alliance and for the process between Ukraine and Russia,” the Turkish president said. As he said “the conflict between the two countries and the negative effects as well as the developments concerning oil and gas push all of us to find a solution to this issue and to cultivate diplomatic processes that will lead to a happy ending. I will also try to secure the grain supply corridor “.

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And the cameras left with Biden thanking him once again.

The head of the Turkish secret services is also present

According to the Turkish news agency Anatolou, the meeting was also attended by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoλουlu, Foreign Minister Hulusi Akar, the head of the Presidency Information Service, Fahrettin Altun, Erdoμan’s representative, Erdo Καλan and Secret Service, Hakan Fidan. From the US side, both Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of State Lloyd Austin were present.

The Turkish media predicted that Erdogan would raise the issue of American F-16 fighters and US bases on Greek soil with Biden. Turkey’s claims to northern Syria were also expected to be on the agenda. The Turkish president’s statements are expected on Thursday, when he may reveal the content of the conversation he had with his American counterpart in camera.

It is recalled that on Wednesday before the meeting of the two presidents and after Ankara finally gave the “green light” for the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, Celeste Wallander, US Assistant Secretary of Defense, appeared publicly stating that “the US fully support the modernization plans of the Turkish F-16 fleet “.

“These plans are in the works and must be implemented through the procurement process, but the United States supports the modernization of Turkey’s fighter fleet, because it contributes to NATO security,” he said. “Turkey’s strong defense capabilities contribute to a strong NATO defense.”

However, according to a US official who spoke to reporters on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, there were indeed ongoing technical talks on Turkey’s request to buy US F-16 fighter jets, but stressed that “Congress will have the final say on any such sales “.

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