Sat 21 May 2022:
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan says he told Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson that Ankara expects concrete steps regarding its concerns about “terrorist organisations”, the state-owned Anadolu news agency reported.
In a phone call, Erdogan also said an arms exports embargo imposed on Turkey after its Syria incursion in 2019 should be lifted, according to Anadolu.
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO on Wednesday, following Russia’s February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Turkey surprised NATO allies last week by objecting to the two countries’ membership, but Western leaders have expressed confidence that Ankara’s objections will not be a roadblock for the NATO accession process.
Ankara says Sweden and Finland harbour people linked to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) armed group and followers of Fethullah Gulen, whom Ankara accuses of orchestrating a 2016 coup attempt.
Finland’s president holds talks with Turkey’s Erdogan
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto says he held “open and direct” talks with Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan to discuss Finland’s bid for NATO membership.
Erdogan has publicly questioned whether Finland and Sweden should be allowed to join the military alliance.
“I stated that as NATO allies Finland and Turkey will commit to each other’s security and our relationship will thus grow stronger,” Niinisto tweeted after the call.
“Finland condemns terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. Close dialogue continues.”
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