July 9, 2023
1 min read

Erdogan urges Sweden to ‘keep promises’ for NATO bid

The President further said that he would bring that to allies’ attention at the NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania next week….reports Asian Lite News

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has reaffirmed that his country would not green-light Sweden’s accession to NATO unless the Nordic nation adopted a firm stance against “terror groups”.

“How can a state that doesn’t distance itself from terror organizations contribute to NATO?” Xinhua news agency quoted Erdogan as saying at the graduation ceremony of the National Defense University in Istanbul on Friday.

He said his government expected Sweden to abide by its promise of taking into account Turkey’s security concerns.

The President further said that he would bring that to allies’ attention at the NATO summit held in Vilnius, Lithuania next week.

Erdogan noted that Turkey backed NATO’s open-door policy and was ready to welcome any state committed to the alliance’s fundamental principles.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last year but faced objections from Turkey on the grounds that the two countries harbor members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party and the Gulen movement.

Turkey eventually lifted its objection to Finland earlier this year after the Nordic country took “concrete steps” against such groups, and the country went on to become NATO’s 31st member in April.

But Ankara maintains its veto of Sweden.

The military alliance will hold a summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12, at which NATO wants to finalise Sweden’s admission process.

ALSO READ: Erdogan: Ukraine deserves NATO membership

Previous Story

India keen to help debt-ridden Lanka

Next Story

Foreign diplomats in West Bank after Israel’s military raid

Latest from -Top News

Trump due in Saudi, UAE amid new tariffs

The GCC bloc, which includes the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain, has been hit with a 10% tariff, placing them among the lower-tiered rates US President Donald Trump has

China Says US Tariff Hikes Violate WTO Rules

China is among the hardest-hit, facing a 34 per cent levy—part of what Washington describes as reciprocal measures aimed at rebalancing trade deficits and curbing unfair trade practices China has strongly condemned

Modi Due in Sri Lanka to Cement Ties

Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Santosh Jha described the visit to island nation as “very important” and likely will set a fresh agenda for bilateral cooperation Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit

India Acts as ‘First Responder’ in Myanmar: Jaishankar

Jaishankar took the opportunity to underscore India’s swift humanitarian response, highlighting Operation Brahma, which was launched to assist those affected by the earthquake. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday expressed India’s
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Quran Burning In Sweden Sparks Saudi Outrage

The ministry called on the Swedish authorities to deal with

Erdogan : Sweden must stop PKK protests

Erdogan said his country continues its “constructive attitude” toward Sweden’s