She expresses her disappointment with Biden’s decision to transfer F16 to Turkey, speaking exclusively to and Maria Tsilinikou n Greek-American congresswoman Nicole Maliotakis. As he says, he hopes there will be commitments that these will not be used against Greece.

Her statements in detail:

American President Joe Biden immediately after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s “yes” for Sweden’s accession to NATO declared that he would proceed with the transfer of F-16 fighters to Turkey, in consultation with Congress. Do you think Congress will impose conditions?

Nicole Malliotaki, US Republican Party Member of Parliament: Yes, Congress will impose conditions. Obviously I’m very disappointed that the President decided to do this. I do not believe that Turkey should be rewarded, especially at this time. It is not only the aggressive actions towards Greece and Cyprus that have been very problematic as well as the threats that have been made and the rhetoric that has followed. I do not believe that this sale should take place. Unfortunately, the president decided otherwise. I hope that the leaders of the Foreign Affairs Committees, both Republican and Democratic, from the House and Senate, will think twice before signing.

You are one of the 6 US Congressmen who wrote to US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken asking for the creation of an oversight mechanism to ensure that Turkey does not use the new F-16 fighter jets against Greek sovereignty. Can be performed;

Nicole Malliotaki, US Republican Party Member of Parliament: Yes, I believe we will be able to set some parameters in the future. And look, that’s better than nothing. However, if we can get some commitments and make sure that these fighters are not going to be used against Greece or Cyprus.

After Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan gave the green light to Sweden’s NATO membership, do you think Turkey is getting closer to the West and changing its policy towards Russia?

Nicole Malliotaki, US Republican Party Member of Parliament: Well, we haven’t seen them really change their policy. They still don’t sanction Russia like the other NATO members have done and they are also not necessarily a good member of the NATO alliance. That certainly should have been a condition, but to make sure that these aircraft are not going to be used against Greece, which has been a reliable partner and strategic ally of the United States. It is extremely important to me and to the people in this country.

The American President, Joe Biden, argued that there is simultaneous reinforcement of both Greece and Turkey on the table. Do you think this US strategy of equal distance is correct?

Nicole Malliotaki, US Republican Party Member of Parliament: Greece has only been a strategic and important and reliable ally in this region. We never have to guess what Greece will do with these fighters or with this military equipment. And so, you know, I don’t necessarily agree with the president on that. And we certainly should not create an arms race between Greece and Turkey, but we should simply provide support to those who are useful to us and our goals and contribute to the stability of the Eastern Mediterranean region.