Turkey, Sweden, Finland participate in NATO exercise in Baltic Sea

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Fourteen NATO member countries and Sweden and Finland, which applied for membership on May 18, started an exercise yesterday (June 5) in the Baltic Sea.

Over 7,000 troops, 75 planes and 45 are taking part in the 51st Baltic Operations, according to a statement by the bloc.

"With both Sweden and Finland participating, NATO is seizing the chance in an unpredictable world to enhance its joint force resilience and strength together with two aspirants for Alliance membership in a combined effort," said the statement.

The two-week drills will end in Kiel, northern Germany, on June 17.

The participating countries are Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, the UK and the US.

Turkey has objected to the NATO membership bids of Sweden and Finland, accusing the two Nordic countries, especially Sweden, of tolerating and supporting "terrorism."

While the two countries, as well as the US, have been optimistic that a solution will be found, Ankara says it expects "concrete steps" to address its security concerns.

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(SD/VK)