FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
US President Donald Trump plans to move forward with the sale of dozens of aircraft engines to Turkey, in a deal worth hundreds of millions of dollars, despite objections from the US Congress, Reuters reported, citing four sources familiar with the matter.
The engines, manufactured by US company General Electric, will be used for Turkey's first domestically produced fighter jet, the Kaan, a strategic project launched in 2016 as part of Ankara's efforts to increase its independence in the defense industry. According to one of the sources, the value of the package will exceed $700 million.
The decision is considered a positive signal to Turkey ahead of the NATO summit, which will take place in the country on July 7 and 8.
Relations between Turkey and the United States have been generally good during Trump's presidency, with the president often praising Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. However, the two countries remain at odds over Turkey's exclusion from the F-35 fighter jet program and sanctions imposed after its purchase of the Russian S-400 air defense system.
According to Reuters, Democratic Rep. Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has expressed opposition to the agreement during the review process and has not yet given his approval.
However, sources say that the sale is expected to be finalized in the coming days, while the US State Department will then send the official notification to Congress.
The decision comes almost a year after Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan publicly criticized delays in the agreement's approval procedures.
Turkey will host NATO leaders in early July, at a time when the alliance is facing debates over defense spending, burden-sharing among allies and security-related tensions in the Middle East.
Lini një Përgjigje