Turkey to host delegations from Sweden, Finland to discuss NATO bid

Photo: AA

Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Turkey will host Finland and Sweden delegations in Ankara tomorrow to discuss the applications for membership in NATO by the two countries.

The announcement came after NATO chief Stoltenger's call for talks today at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

"Finland and Sweden's decision to apply for NATO membership is historic. It demonstrates that European security will not be dictated by violence and intimidation," he said.

"All Allies agree that NATO enlargement has been a great success, spreading freedom and democracy across Europe. So I am confident that we will be able to find a way to address all Allies' security concerns and welcome NATO's closest partners into our family of free nations."

Stolbenger defined Turkey as an important ally and also added that Turkey's concerns should be addressed.

In tomorrow's talks, Presidential Spokesperson İbrahim Kalın will head Turkey's delegation, according to the ministry's statement.

Sweden's delegation will be headed by State Secretary Oscar Stenström and Finland's delegation will be headed by Permanent State Secretary Jukka Salovaara.

The foreign ministers of the two Nordic countries previously expressed their intentions to visit Turkey but President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan dismissed the request, saying, "Don't bother."

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What happened?

For a new country to join NATO, unanimous approval is required by all 30 existing allied countries in NATO.

However, Turkey's President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been objecting to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, accusing the two countries of supporting "terrorism."

To lift Turkey's veto, Erdoğan has some demands from the two countries including the extradition of the political exiles in Sweden and Finland.

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(TB/VK)