Stoltenberg: NATO is addressing Turkey's concerns over Sweden, Finland

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NATO is in close contact with Finland, Sweden, and Turkey, the alliance's secretary-general has said.

"We are addressing the concerns that Turkey has expressed," Stoltenberg said today (May 19) at a joint press conference with Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen in Copenhagen.

"Because when an ally, an important ally as Turkey, raises security concerns, raised these issues, then, of course, the only way to do that is to sit down and find ways to find a common ground and an agreement on how to move forward," he remarked.

NATO's enlargement has been a great success, Stoltenberg said, adding that "every country has the right to choose its own path, that of course also includes Finland and Sweden."

Different opinions among the 30 members of the alliance are not unusual, he noted.

"We are 30 allies from both sides of the Atlantic with different history, geography, political parties in government, and sometimes there are some differences. But we have a long track record in NATO of being able to overcome differences," said the secretary-general.

Sweden and Finland yesterday formally applied for NATO membership, which Turkey has opposed. Ankara accuses the two countries, especially Sweden, of "protecting terrorists."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan today once again said that Turkey will say no to the membership of the two countries.

Pro-government media outlets reported that Turkey will submit a list containing 10 demands from Sweden and Finland to agree to their memberhsip.

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(SD/VK)