Turkey’s intention “is not to block” NATO membership for Sweden and Finland

Turkey has made it transparent that it does not want to impede membership, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

He voiced confidence in NATO’s ability to handle Turkey’s concerns at a video news conference, saying the ascension process for Sweden and Finland into NATO is “faster than we have seen before.”

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that he does not see Finland or Sweden joining NATO “positively,” accusing them of harboring Kurdish “terrorist organizations.”

“Unfortunately, Scandinavian countries are like guesthouses of terror organizations. PKK and DHKPC have taken shelter in Sweden and Netherlands. They have even taken place in their parliaments. At this stage, it is not possible for us to see this positively.” Erdogan said.

“I’m optimistic that we will be able to address the concerns that Turkey has voiced in a way that does not delay the membership or accession process,” the NATO secretary general said. “My objective is still to have a rapid and swift process,” he said.

He acknowledged that the ratification process will take time, as is customary when dealing with 30 parliaments, but highlighted the need to proceed faster.

NATO will engage with Sweden and Finland on any potential Russian threats “to provide assurance measures in the interim,” according to Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg said, “This is a historic opportunity we need to seize.”