Turkish President and NATO Secretary General Reiterate Turkey’s Position on Sweden, Finland’s Accession to NATO
CCTV News The Press Bureau of the Turkish Presidential Palace announced on June 15 local time that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone call with NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg on the same day to discuss Finland and Sweden’s application to join NATO.
Erdogan reiterated that measures should be taken to address Turkey’s legitimate concerns about Sweden and Finland’s applications to join NATO. Erdogan stressed that the process of joining NATO between Sweden and Finland cannot progress without seeing concrete steps in line with Turkey’s expectations and a written commitment to the fight against terrorism and a transformation of defense-industrial cooperation.
Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO on May 18, local time, but were opposed by NATO member Turkey. Turkey has accused the two countries of supporting the PKK and its affiliates, which Turkey has designated as a “terrorist organization,” as well as the “Gulen Movement.” The two countries are required to take clear measures in combating terrorism and lift the ban on arms exports to Turkey. According to the regulations, NATO must “unanimously agree” on the premise of 30 member states to admit new members. Stoltenberg has been actively mediating among Turkey, Finland and Sweden recently, trying to persuade the three parties to reach a compromise.