Erdoğan's F-16 message following Sweden's NATO decision: 'We are waiting for the US's decision'

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made statements after Friday prayers.

When asked about the signing of Sweden's NATO membership decision and US President Joe Biden's letter to Congress regarding Turkey, Erdoğan stated that they are waiting for the US regarding the F-16 decision. 

Highlights from Erdoğan's statements are as follows:

"WE ARE WAITING FOR THE US'S DECISION REGARDING THE F-16S"

(Regarding Sweden's NATO membership and the F-16s to be purchased from the US) Our Parliament, in accordance with the promise made, passed it through our Assembly with an overwhelming majority through the votes cast. It reached me as of yesterday. I signed it as well. It was published in the Official Gazette in the evening. A day earlier, Biden also sent a written instruction, so to speak, to both the House of Representatives and the other chamber, expressing his request for them to pass this through their assemblies as soon as possible. We are waiting for that as well. The result that will come from there as soon as possible will enable the process for the F-16s to be sent to Turkey and, alongside that, the start of the entire repair and maintenance process. We are waiting for this. My Minister of Foreign Affairs is following it closely. Both Canada and Sweden have approached this with the view that this step taken has been very accurate in terms of Turkey's stance and has been a source of strength for NATO. 

"WE EXPECT A 'GENOCIDE' RULING FROM THE HAGUE"

(Regarding the genocide case in The Hague) We expect one to be issued. I had a meeting with the President of South Africa yesterday. South Africa is following The Hague closely. The process began with their application. As of now, the close follow-up by the President of South Africa is a separate asset for us. Our group of lawyers from here went to The Hague. They are also following it closely. I believe that positive results will emerge from both the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. We are waiting for that decision today. 

"WE ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO ESKİŞEHİR AND İZMİR"

(Regarding local elections) I will be in İzmir tomorrow. I will both make candidate announcements and hold a comprehensive meeting. The next day, I will move on to Eskişehir. We will hold a candidate introduction meeting there in the same way. We attach importance to Eskişehir and İzmir. Just as we have raised strong voices in Istanbul and Ankara, we will show how the People's Alliance is preparing for March 31 in these places as well. 

News Source: 12punto