Breaking News Turkey
Following Russia’s attacks on Ukraine started on Feb 24 last year, Finland and Sweden applied to join the NATO alliance at the same time in May.
But Türkiye, one of the strong NATO allies, opposed the two Nordic countries’ accession efforts due to security concerns. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had recently given green light to Helsinki and said it took steps to address Ankara’s concerns.
UK-based The Economist said Finland received Türkiye’s approval to be a part of the alliance but Sweden is still waiting.
“The Turks’ main problem is with Sweden, which it accuses of harboring various enemies. In January Turkey suggested it might admit Finland alone, an idea the Finns at first resisted out of solidarity,” said the newspaper.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto paid an official visit to Ankara to meet his counterpart Erdogan on March 17. Following the meeting, the two leaders hold a joint press conference where Erdogan announced they would begin the process of ratification in the parliament, a decision Helsinki welcomed.
“Mr Erdogan has left Sweden hanging, demanding the deportation of more than 100 people he calls ‘terrorists’,” Economist went on to say.
The news body also reminded that Finland will receive support under NATO’s guarantee to protect its 1,300-km-long border with Russia.
Türkiye’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday that Sweden took positive steps but insufficient.
Stating Ankara’s expectations regarding the issue, the minister said, “Our expectation from Sweden is to end terrorism financing, recruitment, and propaganda activities and take the necessary measures.”