Want improved ties with SCO, but priority is to fulfil NATO responsibilities, says Turkey’s Defence Minister

Turkey wants to improve its ties with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), but its priority is fulfilling its responsibilities to NATO as an important ally, Defence Minister Yasar Guler said.

“Our priority is to fulfil our responsibilities to NATO as an important ally and to strengthen the solidarity with our allies. Our focus should be that NATO is prepared, determined and strong,” Guler told Reuters in a written interview.

The SCO is a security, political and economic club launched in 2001 by Russia, China and Central Asian states as a counterweight to Western alliances.

On normalising ties with Syria, Guler said Turkey and Syria could meet at the ministerial level if suitable conditions are created.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said last month he would be inviting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to discuss normalising ties, which Ankara severed after the 2011 Syrian war.

But, Assad has said such talks could only happen if the neighbours focus on core issues, including the withdrawal of Turkish forces from the north of Syria.

The defence minister also said that Turkey is pleased with its deal with the United States regarding the procurement of Block-70 F-16 fighter jets and modernisation kits, and the process is continuing as planned.

“We hope the project will be completed without any problems until the last jet is delivered,” Guler said, adding that officials from the two NATO allies are still discussing details of the deal.