Mitsotakis' F-35 remark: 'I will not comment'

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who came to Ankara as part of the NATO Summit of Heads of State and Government, answered questions from members of the press at Beştepe. In his remarks, Mitsotakis evaluated the possibility of Turkey procuring F-35 fighter jets, but avoided commenting on the subject.

HE GAVE THE MESSAGE "I WILL NOT COMMENT"

Responding to a question from the press regarding Turkey's F-35 program, Mitsotakis said he would not evaluate the statements made by US President Donald Trump and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on this issue.

Mitsotakis stated, "I will not make a comment on this. I will not comment on things said by President Trump and President Erdoğan."

EMPHASIS ON GOOD NEIGHBORLINESS

The Greek Prime Minister stated that the NATO alliance should be based on fundamental principles, and that good neighborly relations are at the forefront of these principles.

Mitsotakis said, "But the only thing I can say is this; an alliance must be based on fundamental principles, and these principles must be based on neighborliness. Should we use our legal rights if we face the danger of war with Turkey? Everyone's, all NATO allies' sensitivities must be taken into consideration. We believe that a very large portion of the problems can only be solved with an understanding of good neighborliness."

"IT IS ALWAYS A GREAT PLEASURE TO VISIT ANKARA"

In his assessment regarding his contacts in Ankara, Mitsotakis stated that he is open to improving relations with Turkey.

The Greek Prime Minister said, "It is always a great pleasure to visit Ankara. I am always ready to improve the relations between our countries."

TRUMP: "WE WILL DISCUSS THE F-35 ISSUE"

On the other hand, US President Donald Trump, who paid an official visit to Turkey before the NATO Ankara Summit, had appeared before the cameras prior to his meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at Beştepe.

Stating that relations between the two countries in the fields of trade and defense would be discussed, Trump had said, "Our chemistry with Erdoğan has been very good from the very beginning. Our trade with Turkey is intense, we are doing very good business, and we will do even better business. We know what a great country Turkey is. Today we will discuss trade, defense, Iran, and many other issues. We will discuss the F-35 issue."

ERDOĞAN: "WE HAVE RECEIVED THE PROMISE FOR 5 JETS"

Following Trump's statements, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also made an assessment regarding the F-35 process.

Erdoğan stated, "We have received the promise for 5 jets, we are expecting good news."

While the statements made between Trump and Erdoğan regarding the F-35 fighter jets caused a wide echo in the international public, the "I will not comment" statement by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is in Ankara for the NATO Summit, was also among the notable headlines of the summit.

News Source: 12punto