NATO head talks with Erdogan about Finland, Sweden joining

Web Desk

04th Jun, 2022. 02:56 pm
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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has met with Finland’s Prime Minister and spoke with Turkey’s President.
The Nordic countries were forced to join NATO by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Sweden and Finland of backing Kurdish militants.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has met with Finland’s Prime Minister and spoke with Turkey’s President in an effort to overcome Turkish opposition to Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

Stoltenberg met with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Washington this week and addressed “the need to address Turkey’s concerns and move on” with the Finnish and Swedish membership applications, according to a tweet late Friday.

The Nordic countries were forced to join NATO by Russia’s war in Ukraine, but Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Sweden and Finland of backing Kurdish militants whom Turkey considers terrorists.

Stoltenberg called Erdogan a “valued ally” and praised his efforts to secure a deal to ensure the safe passage of grain supplies from Ukraine amid global food shortages caused by Russia’s incursion.

Stoltenberg said on Twitter that he and Erdogan would keep talking, but he didn’t elaborate.

Erdogan’s office said in a statement that the president emphasised that Sweden and Finland should “make it clear that they have stopped supporting terrorism,” that they have eliminated defence export restrictions on Turkey, and that they are “ready to show alliance solidarity.”

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