July 10, 2023
2 mins read

Erdogan, Biden discuss Sweden’s NATO bid

The two leaders also discussed Ukraine’s position in NATO, the delivery of F-16 fighter jets and Turkey’s efforts to join the EU…reports Asian Lite News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has discussed Sweden’s NATO bid with his US counterpart Joe Biden over the phone ahead of the alliance’s summit this week.

The two leaders also discussed Ukraine’s position in NATO, the delivery of F-16 fighter jets and Turkey’s efforts to join the EU, according to a statement by Erdogan’s office released on Sunday.

During the phone call, Erdogan noted “Sweden has taken some steps in the right direction” toward the ratification of its NATO bid by making changes in its anti-terrorism legislation, said the statement.

However, the Turkish leader said these steps were “nullified” as the supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) “continue to hold demonstrations freely in the country to advocate terrorism”.

Erdogan also stressed that it was not correct to associate Turkey’s F-16 purchase from the US with Sweden’s NATO bid, referring to several objections from the US Congress to Ankara’s purchase demand for F-16s over its veto of Sweden’s NATO membership.

The two presidents agreed to meet face-to-face to discuss bilateral ties and regional issues in detail at the NATO summit in Lithuania’s capital Vilnius on July 11-12, according to the statement.

Regarding Turkey’s EU bid, Erdogan told Biden that his country was “principled and honest” about EU membership, appealing to revive its membership process and hoping for getting a clear and strong message of support from leading countries of the EU at the upcoming Vilnius Summit.

Biden, for his part, conveyed to Erdogan his desire to welcome Sweden into NATO as soon as possible, according to a White House statement.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year but met with objections from Turkey on the grounds that the two countries harbour members of PKK and the Gulen movement, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turkey eventually lifted its objection to Finland’s NATO accession earlier this year after Helsinki took what Ankara calls “concrete steps” against such organisations.

In April, Finland became NATO’s 31st member state.

ALSO READ: Erdogan urges Sweden to ‘keep promises’ for NATO bid

Previous Story

Germany welcomes Indian students

Next Story

End terror, war and poverty: Modi’s call to SCO

Latest from -Top News

Uyghurs Face ‘More Repression, No Relief’

CFU stressed that, instead of addressing the UN’s recommendations, Beijing has escalated its repression…reports Asian Lite News On August 31, 2025, Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU) marked the third anniversary of the United

Afghan Quake Toll Hits 1,457

More than 6,700 homes have been destroyed due to earthquake as international aid agencies struggle to reach people in remote areas…reports Asian Lite News The death toll from the powerful earthquake that

Xi, Putin, Kim conspiring against US, says Trump

Trump accused Xi of “conspiring against” America after hosting Putin and Kim at Beijing’s largest military parade….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald Trump unleashed a sharp rebuke at Chinese President Xi

Al Zeer clinches UAE President’s Cup glory

Al Zeer stormed to a dramatic victory at Waregem Racecourse, clinching the UAE President’s Cup in Belgium, showcasing the UAE’s equestrian heritage and global sporting vision….reports Asian Lite News Before nearly 50,000

India, UAE chase $100b trade dream

India and the UAE reaffirmed their CEPA partnership, setting a $100 billion non-oil trade target by 2030, with strong focus on energy, food, healthcare, and technology….reports Asian Lite News India and the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

More Democrats urge Biden to back off from presidential race

Seth Moulton, a lawmaker from Massachusetts said on Wednesday that

Erdogan Supports Hamas, Labels Israel as ‘Terrorist’

The Turkish leader also describes Hamas terrorists as “resistance fighters”