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When it comes to the request for the acquisition of new F-16s by Turkey, Senator Bob Menendez, who is also the chairman of the Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, voiced his opposition once more.
Menendez said that the committee “is the one that decides on arms sales and I find it very difficult to agree on such a development.”
The Senator condemned the aggressive behavior of Turkey with the “overflights and violations of both Greek airspace and territorial waters.”
He also stated that, Turkey despite being a member of NATO poses the greatest threat to security and prosperity in the region with its provocative behavior, and stressed that United States must continue to put pressure on Turkey to make it clear that this behavior will have consequences.
Menendez also referred to the US arms embargo on Cyprus, which has been partially lifted, describing it as “anachronistic reality” and saying that the conditions have now matured for it to be lifted completely, something that would allow the modernization of the Cypriot National Guard and boost the defense of the island which Turkey occupies some 37% of its territory.
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