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Turkey's Erdogan discusses concerns with NATO hopefuls Sweden and Finland

Ankara says the two countries harbour people linked to PKK militant group and followers of Fethullah Gulen

Reuters May 21, 2022

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan addresses members of his ruling AK Party (AKP) during a meeting at the parliament in Ankara, Turkey May 18, 2022. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISTANBUL:

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has objected to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, held phone calls with the leaders of the two countries on Saturday and discussed his concerns about terrorist organisations.

Turkey says Sweden and Finland harbour people linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group and followers of Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.

Erdogan told Sweden's Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson that Ankara expected concrete steps to address its concerns, according to the Turkish presidency. He also said an arms exports embargo imposed on Turkey after its Syria incursion in 2019 should be lifted, it added.

Also read: Turkey has told allies it's a 'no' to Sweden and Finland's NATO bid: Erdogan

Andersson said she appreciated the call and that Sweden hoped to strengthen bilateral relations with Turkey.

"I emphasised that Sweden welcomes the possibility of cooperation in the fight against international terrorism and emphasised that Sweden clearly supports the fight against terrorism and the terrorist listing of the PKK," she added in a statement.

In another call, Erdogan told Finnish President Sauli Niinisto that failing to deal with terrorist organisations that posed a threat to a NATO ally would not suit the spirit of alliance, Ankara said.

Also read: Turkey 'will not say yes' to NATO membership for Sweden, Finland: Erdogan

Niinisto said he held "open and direct" talks with Erdogan and agreed to continue close dialogue.

Turkey surprised its NATO allies last week by objecting to the two countries' accession to the military alliance, but Western leaders have expressed confidence that Ankara's objections will not be a roadblock for the membership process.

All 30 NATO states must give their approval before a new member can be admitted and thus benefit from the collective-security guarantee.

COMMENTS (1)

test | 2 years ago | Reply Turkey has serious concerns about finland and sweden about PKK which NATO is not listening to under the lobby of jewnited snakes of america or israel. PKK and YPG are terrorizing the borders of Turkey and is also involved in a number of terrorist attacks inside the country. If Finland and Sweden doesn t cooperate with Turkey and does not give those potential terrorists of PKK to Turkey which those countries harbor then i think Turkey should leave Nato. First Coup attempt they never came to help and then PKK and YPG your allies never came to help. They kicked out you out of F35 program and sanctioned you for buying Russian S400. It is simple all NATO is saying live according to our rules or leave. It is better for Turkey to leave NATO if those doesn t listen to you. Just like i advised my homeland that if OIC doesn t listen to our serious security demands in the terms of Kashmir cause. Then we should better leave the OIC. Because we are just wasting our tax payers money. So Turkey must leave NATO and Pakistan must leave OIC infact both of them must leave OIC. Also Turkey should close its embassies in Finland and Sweden if they doesn t listen to you.

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