Representatives of these countries should not ask Ankara to approve their candidacy, the president said
Turkey “I won’t say yes” In a bid for NATO membership in Finland and Sweden, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that any attempt to persuade Ankara to change its position would be in vain.
Both governments have officially announced their intention to join the US-led military bloc this weekend. Turkey has previously warned it could oppose the move, with Erdogan calling on the two Nordic countries. “Guesthouse of a terrorist organization.” He was referring to the separatist Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front (DHKP / C), which Ankara has declared illegal.
“These countries do not have a clear and unequivocal position against terrorist organizations. Sweden is the incubation center of the terrorist organization. They bring terrorists into their parliament to speak … we will not say ‘yes’ to their security agency NATO … they are going to come to us on Monday. Sorry, they don’t have to bother, “ Erdogan said.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry said on Monday that senior officials from Helsinki and Stockholm would travel to Turkey to discuss the matter. Erdogan, however, indicated in a press briefing that such talks would be meaningless.
To join the bloc, a country’s membership bid must be approved by a consensus of 30 members. Perhaps the United States will pressure Ankara to withdraw its objections.
NATO Deputy Secretary-General Mircia Giona had earlier said he was confident the military bloc would be able to overcome Turkey’s reserves.
Finland and Sweden have decided to reconsider their long-standing non-alignment policy following a major shift in public opinion in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. According to a recent poll, a majority in both countries now support NATO membership.
Moscow has condemned the decision to apply for NATO membership. Russian President Vladimir Putin says the new developments have exacerbated an already complex international security situation.
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