US Republican Mike Turner speaks on Turkey's return to the F-35 program
US House of Representatives member Mike Turner stated that he found what he heard during NATO contacts in Ankara to be "promising."
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As debates continue regarding whether Turkey will be re-included in the F-35 program, a notable statement has come from US House of Representatives Republican member Mike Turner.
Participating in the "Face the Nation" program broadcast on CBS News, Turner stated that Turkish officials and US Congress members met within the scope of the NATO Summit held in Ankara on July 7-8.
Responding to a question regarding the possibility of Turkey's return to the program, Turner stated that he could not share the details conveyed during the meetings, saying, "I cannot disclose what the Turkish officials told us, but what they told us was promising. Those of us who attended the meeting agree that what we heard was promising."
Turner described Turkey's readmission to the F-35 program as "extremely important." Stating that Turkey is a NATO member and a strong actor within the alliance, Turner noted that Ankara hosted a successful summit.
The US politician, reminding that Turkey also played a role in the production of F-35 parts, said, "I hope they will move forward on this path and be rewarded for it. Turkey is also a manufacturer of F-35 parts. Therefore, it would be very, very important for them to return to the program."