Turkey Glad The F-16 Block-70 Fighter Jet Deal With The US

JAKARTA - Turkey is pleased with its agreement with the United States (US) regarding the procurement of F-16 Block 70 fighter jets and modernization equipment, and the process continues as planned.

"We hope this project will be completed without any problems until the last jet is delivered," Defense Minister Yasar Guler told Reuters on Monday, August 12.

Guller said officials from the two NATO allies were still discussing details of the deal.

In addition, Reuters in its exclusive interview reported that Turkey and Syria could meet at the ministerial level as part of efforts to normalize relations if appropriate conditions were created.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said last month he would invite Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss the normalization of relations, which Ankara cut off after the 2014 Syrian war.

However, Assad said such talks could only happen if neighboring countries focused on core issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Syria.