Latest News by Industry
Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's president, reaffirmed Ankara's opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, saying that Turkey will not approve the bids.
Erdogan said at a press conference on Monday that Turkey opposes Finland's and Sweden's Nato membership ambitions, labeling Sweden as a "hatchery" for terrorist groups.
"Neither of these countries have a clear, open attitude towards the terrorist organization. How can we trust them?" the Turkish president said.
Turkey also accused the two bidders of harboring "terrorist" organizations, such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is on Ankara's, the EU's, and the US's no-fly list.
Finland and Sweden will need Ankara's support to join NATO, as membership bids must be unanimously accepted by the alliance's 30 members.
Following Ankara's foray into Syria, the Nordic countries imposed an arms embargo on it in 2019.
“We cannot say ‘yes’ to those who impose sanctions on Turkey, on joining NATO which is a security organization,” Erdogan said.
NATO Members
Norway, Denmark, and Iceland, all Nato members, promptly stated that they would support Sweden and Finland in any manner possible if they were attacked.
Sweden and Finland have previously received security guarantees from the United Kingdom, which is a Nato member.
Despite Turkey's objections, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Sunday that Sweden and Finland will be allowed to join NATO.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General also said we will be able to address the concerns that Turkey has voiced.
Picture Credits: Reuters
Also read: