Turkey implemented a delaying tactic using the Sweden issue as a bargaining chip to secure congressional approval for the sale of US F-16s to Turkey. According to today’s (Friday) Hurriyet quoting a senior US official, Washington – wants Turkey’s approval for Sweden first and then push the F-16 issue. According to the official, during President Erdogan’s phone call with President Biden last week, the US president said that approving Sweden’s membership in principle was important priority for the US.

“Ankara understands that Sweden has taken concrete steps”

Everything shows that the matter is coming to an end, and indeed according to information the validation protocol may sent next week for a vote in the National Assembly. This was stated by the chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee and former vice president Fuat Oktai. Oktai said the committee may convene to discuss the protocol and could approve it before sending it to the National Assembly as a “goodwill gesture”. He added that Ankara still expects more from Stockholm against terrorism however he said Ankara understands that Sweden has made several legal amendments and has taken concrete steps. Oktai also said something interesting, that the Turkish side is waiting some movement on Sweden’s part before the final vote in the Turkish parliament.