Political scientist Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan stated that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's challenge to Washington at the G20 Leaders' Summit in New Delhi, the capital of India, attracted great interest in the world press, adding that Ankara made its diplomatic power felt on a global scale. Prof. Dr. Arslan noted that Erdoğan responded to Biden's challenge with the same challenge, and with this challenge, Turkey has overcome its external dependence on military ammunition and has shown that it will not be a satellite of any country politically.
Head of the Department of Political Science and International Relations (English) at Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan reminded that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's challenge to Washington garnered significant attention in the world press while Sweden awaits Turkey's approval for its NATO membership. Prof. Dr. Arslan stated, “Ankara is making its diplomatic power felt on a global scale during this tense and critical period of the international conjuncture.”
Prof. Dr. Arslan stated that unofficial meetings occasionally took place among world leaders gathered in India for the G20 Summit, and continued as follows:
“Even though the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Erdoğan was an informal, on-the-spot discussion, its repercussions officially carry significant meanings. To Biden's insinuations that Turkey's F-16 request would be met if Sweden's NATO membership was approved, Erdoğan's response was firm and clear: the issue of Sweden could not be put forward as a condition for F-16 sales.”
“Turkey has red lines on two issues: one is Kurdish separatist terrorism, the other is Islam”
Political scientist Arslan stated, “Turkey has red lines on two issues in its relations with Sweden that cannot be compared under any circumstances: one is Kurdish separatist terrorism, and the other is Islam. These red lines cannot be subject to international relations with another country. Erdoğan re-emphasized this at the press conference in New Delhi.
Despite legislation in Stockholm prohibiting membership, logistical, and financial aid to the Kurdish separatist movement, it has not yet fully gained Ankara's trust on this issue. Moreover, overt attacks against Islam and values considered sacred by Islam are among the most sensitive issues in Ankara-Stockholm relations. Erdoğan clearly stated at the press conference that as long as Sweden fails to convince Ankara on these two issues, it would not be possible for the Grand National Assembly of Turkey to take steps in favor of Sweden; furthermore, he underlined that trying to link this matter to a previously discussed issue with another country is unacceptable.” These were the words with which he underscored President Erdoğan's stance.
“Turkey has now overcome external dependence on military ammunition”
Prof. Dr. Havva Kök Arslan summarized her evaluations as follows:
“In short, President Erdoğan responded to Biden’s challenge with the same challenge, creating wide repercussions on the world agenda. The most significant aspect of this challenge for Turkey is that Turkey has now overcome its external dependence on military ammunition and has shown that it will not be a satellite of any country politically. This high level reached by Turkish Foreign Policy's global influence in the 100th year of the Republic is undoubtedly very important.”