US recognizes Türkiye's contributions to NATO in many areas, says envoy

By Muhammet Tarhan

ANKARA (AA) - The US recognizes Türkiye's longstanding contributions to NATO with the US in many areas, including its current presence in the Balkan nation of Kosovo, said US Ambassador in Ankara Jeffry Flake.

"We expect (Türkiye's contributions to NATO) to be strengthened as well," Flake said at the US Embassy Residence in Ankara on Wednesday ahead of a reception marking the US' Independence Day. Türkiye has been a member of NATO for over 70 years, and boasts the alliance’s second-largest army.

Türkiye also recently sent more troops to the NATO KFOR contingent in Kosovo amid unrest among ethnic Serbs in the country’s north, near the border with Serbia.

"Obviously we would love to see NATO expanded. So, (we are) happy to see Finland as a full-fledged member," Flake told reporters, mentioning the latest member of the alliance.

Türkiye, which also favors NATO’s open-door policy, this year gave its greenlight to Finland joining the alliance, while saying its neighbor Sweden needs to do more to prove its solidarity against terror groups which threaten Türkiye before it can join.

Asked about the possibility of a meeting between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden at next month’s NATO summit in Lithuania, Flake said he is always "pushing" for high-level meetings whenever possible.

"I was happy to see them meet on the sidelines of the (NATO) Madrid summit last year. But we have nothing to announce at this point,” he said, adding that it might be too early to announce anything so “stay tuned" for news.

On claims of a connection between Sweden's NATO membership and the US approval of the sale of F-16s and F-16 upgrade kits to Turkey, Flake underlined how US officials have repeatedly said there is no linkage.

The US Congress plays a large role in foreign military sales and largely supports the idea of NATO expansion, he said.

He added that Turkey's security needs need to be addressed and Sweden did have to take significant measures.

Sweden went “so far as to amend their Constitution,” he said. “So they can more readily deal with those affiliated with the (terrorist group) PKK. So we believe that it's time. We obviously hope that by Vilnius or at Vilnius, Sweden will be a full-fledged member.”

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of more than 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.

Turkish officials have said Sweden tolerated and even supported PKK members on its soil, and that steps taken to change this need to be proven before it joins the alliance.

- 'Türkiye is part of Daesh/ISIS terror group campaign'

On working against the terrorist group Daesh/ISIS in northern Syria, Flake said:

"Our position in northeastern Syria, we have the (anti-Daesh) ISIS campaign that is broadly supported even by Turkey. We value the partnerships. We have, with our allies, to try to get rid of (Daesh) ISIS completely. We've gone a long way to do that, but still have a long way to go. So that is our role."

On moves by Türkiye and other countries to recognize the Assad regime in Syria, he reiterated that the US opposes this.

"We still are opposed to it. But we would just ask those who, like the Arab League, and others who are making this recognition, get something out of it."

Flake added that Türkiye is part of the Daesh/ISIS terror group campaign and stressed that they are working with Ankara and maintaining communication.

He noted that they have seen some changes in Syria, with many countries recognizing the Assad regime.

"Things are shifting there. If there are other ways for us to fulfill our mission to get rid of (Daesh) ISIS, we'll consider those but right now that's where we are."

*Writing by Muhammed Enes Calli