There is a "freeze" in Turkey with the issue of F-16 fighter jets and the freeze put by the US House of Representatives on their sale.
On Thursday night, the House of Representatives passed an amendment blocking US President Joe Biden 's plans to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
The amendment also blocks plans to modernise the F-16s already in the Turkish air force. The amendment filed by Democratic Reps. Frank Pallone and Chris Pappas was approved by a vote of 244 to 179.
According to SKAI, Turkish media broadcast the news yesterday in a state of shock. They even commented that: "The amendment of the Greek lobby passed - They ask that Turkish fighter jets not violate the Greek airspace."
Turkish commentators analysed that with this decision, if it finally goes through all the stages, the balance changes.
Haber Global presenter Gözde Şeker said: “We had reported to you about the proposal of the Greek lobby and its member in the House of Representatives, Chris Pappas. This amendment was approved by the Plenary. But all this is a complex process and we need to understand it."
Lawyer Yunus Emre Erdölen said: "We are not talking about a ban, but about terms of sale. The amendment states that in the event that Biden wants to sell F-16s to Turkey, he must prove that this is in the interest of the US, just as Congress must assure that the specific fighter jets will not violate Greece's airspace."
CNN Türk reported last night: "Turkey is being asked not to violate Greek airspace", " The US had in previous contracts for F-16 set conditions for Cyprus", "Now they are going to give F-35 to Hellas".
CNN Türk presenter Hande Fırat said: "They are asking for clear steps to give assurances that F-16s will not be used to violate Greek airspace. Clearly. And this proposal was accepted with 244 votes and 177 voted against."
Academician Mesut Hakkı Caşin reported: “In our previous contracts for the F-16s we had reached an agreement so that the F-16s would not violate the airspace in Cyprus. I know because I was the contracting officer.
"But there was a difference, as at that time we were talking about two different states. But now we are talking about two NATO member states and they are preparing to give the Greeks the F-35s.
"This is what I see. The head of the Armed Forces of Greece is currently at the F-35 factory. Last week, the US military commission visited Athens to discuss the issue."
The Hürriyet newspaper reports that "The sale of the F-16s depends on Biden" and adds: "With the Greek lobby's move, two conditions were set. With the specific fighters not to fly over the Aegean islands and not to be used against Greece".
Cumhurriyet reports : "Critical US decision to sell F-16s to Turkey. They put conditions regarding Greece!".
In Ankara, there is concern over Greece's joint exercises with the US and Israel.
In the Haber Global news bulletin it was mentioned that "Greeks are trying to strengthen their air force": "We had reported to you the news of the joint US exercise with Greece that will continue until July 21, where 4th and 5th generation fighters will be used."
"However, this is not the only exercise that Greece is doing, as it seems they are trying to strengthen their Air Force. Fighters of the Hellenic Air Force participated in an exercise in Israel. The fighters of the two countries carried out exercises with scenarios of war and air refueling".
READ MORE: Turkish media reacts to Greece-US “Poseidon’s Wrath” military exercise.
