Seeing the cessation of the Black Sea grain deal on March 18, the Turkey defense minister said last Sunday that Ankara wanted to continue. Hulusi Akar stated that Russia and Ukraine are willing to extend and will not be canceled.

Black Sea Grain Deal Must Be Extended

He remarked on Ankara's effort to keep the deal afloat after delivering 24 million tons of grains, as reported by Anadolu.

In July, Russia, Ukraine, and the UN inked a deal in Istanbul to restart grain import from three Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea, which was temporarily stopped when the conflict began on February 2022. Diplomatic outreaches by the Turkish government led to another 120 days from November 19.

Turkey's Defense Minister Discusses Major Issues

Akar added that the immigrant crisis of 56,000 Syrian refugees coming over had been solved after the February 6 quake caused them to return home after the southern Turkish region and north Syria caused massive damage, noted TRT World.

Denied allegations that more refugee is coming through the southern border, but it is contrary to many leaving with properties wrecked by the quake.

One concern the defense minister mentioned is keeping Turkish citizens on the southern border. Another is the PKK and other terrorists plotting against the government.

The Turks have been holding operations over the border without stops against the PKK which resumed regular attacks after the tremor and claimed that Ankara's forces took out 53 terrorists. He commented on NATO ally US going to YPG strongholds in North Syria and called them terrorists.

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An attempt by the US and its allies to show they are not terror groups is incorrect and referred to the PKK and YPG, called fellow allies to see these groups for what they are. PKK has been terrorizing Ankara for 40 years, and the US and EU call them terrorists who took 40,000 lives, cited ANews. YPG supported by the US has bothered Ankara for a long time.

Turkey's Request for F-16s 

The request for the F-16 defense deal has not been finished to date, as the US DoD talks are still hanging. Another is the Biden administration allegedly using it to manipulate Erdogan. He added the US should decide the right way because Ankara is looking at options. In 2021, a request for F-16 jets with modernizing kits was made.

Other concerns were addressed, such as the first meeting of Ankara and Damascus after 11 years. The tripartite meeting that included Moscow is hoped that will help solve differences. They are talking about the return of Syrian refugees' homes when right.

Ankara says Finland and Sweden will be allowed in NATO, but it should satisfy its demand before ratification. Turkish official wants the security problem to address first. This concern could cut their NATO bids. The Quran burning could end Sweden's bid, which might be rejected.

Recent problems with Athens changed after the quake thawed tension enough to pursue diplomacy. The Turkish government has reached out to foster more dialogue. Akar added they got problems with Greece, but things must change.

The Black Sea grain deal is just one of the concerns that Turkey's defense minister Akar has mentioned, which his government support.

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