Blinken urges Nordic nations to join NATO in Turkey visit

• Antony Blinken expressed support for Sweden and Finland’s quick NATO membership.
• And promised $100 million in funding to assist impacted populations.
• According to Blinken, there is no “formal schedule” for approval and delivery.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized Washington’s strong support for Sweden and Finland’s quick NATO membership.

As his Turkish colleague emphasized the need for more immediate action on the side of the Nordic countries.

After meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara, Blinken said that the Nordic nations had fulfilled the requirements Turkey had set in June of last year when it decided to remove its veto against Sweden and Finland’s membership in the US-led military alliance.

The top US diplomat, who is currently in Turkey for the first time since his appointment two years ago, stated that Washington favored the Nordic countries’ entry into the alliance “as swiftly as feasible” and that the question of NATO enlargement was not a bilateral one with Ankara.

“Finland and Sweden have already taken concrete steps to fulfil the commitments that they met under the trilateral memorandum of agreement that they signed,” Blinken said.

Washington reiterated its commitment to giving Turkey F-16 jets despite Turkish demand that their acceptance shouldn’t be contingent on the removal of Sweden’s objections to joining NATO.

Turkey wants upgraded F-16 fighter jets for its ageing air force, but any deal need US Congress approval.

According to Blinken, there is no “formal schedule” for approval and delivery.

Blinken also promised $100 million in funding to assist impacted populations, as his visit came in the wake of terrible earthquakes that have now killed more than 46,000 people in Turkey and Syria.

He also praised the support provided by US companies and people, saying: “We have nearly $80m in donations from the private sector in the United States, [from] individuals. When I visited the Turkish embassy in Washington, I almost couldn’t get in the front door because boxes were piled high throughout the driveway to the embassy.

“Turkey faces a long road ahead to support those rendered homeless and to rebuild and we’re committed to providing support.”

One of the worst-hit provinces, Hatay, was the subject of a helicopter tour by Blinken and Cavusoglu on Sunday.

During the press briefing, Blinken met behind closed doors in Ankara with Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey.

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