The neighboring country continues to remain under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions regime due to its acquisition of the Russian S-400 system
The Washington-Ankara consultations on the F-35 fighter jets are about settling outstanding issues for the end of the program in Turkey, the State Department notes about the second round of talks held on January 18 in Washington.
Responding to a question from the Hellas Journal website, the representative of the US Department of State, Ned Price, explained that the two sides are talking to gradually close the issues that have arisen due to the expulsion of Turkey from the F-35 program.
The statement by the US Department of Defense did not mention the content of the talks and was limited to noting that the two delegations agreed to continue consultations at the next meeting scheduled to take place in Ankara in the spring of 2023.
After the release, a Pentagon spokesman declined to comment on the subject of the deliberations, saying “we have no additional details to share at this time.”
However, a little later Ned Price made it clear that there is no question of rejoining Turkey in the F-35 programas the neighboring country continues to remain under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) sanctions regime. because of the acquisition of the Russian S-400 system.
“Nothing has changed regarding Turkey’s suitability for the F-35 program. The Ministry of Defense issued the statement (on the second round of consultations). This is a discussion about how we will gradually lead the elements of this program towards the end”, he emphasized.
Turkey was kicked out of the F-35 program on September 23, 2021, claiming $1.4 billion it had paid as an advance payment for the delivery of the first five fighters. However, in Washington they believe that the pickup was not Ankara’s fault, as Turkey defied repeated private and public warnings, thereby knowingly violating US law.
Finally, beyond the financial differences related to the non-receipt of the fighters, there are still a number of technical issues that have to do with Turkey’s smooth exit from the fighter production program.
RES-EMP
Read the News today and get the latest news.
Follow Skai.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news.
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
