Turkey Opposed To Finland, Sweden NATO Membership – Erdogan

Turkey Opposed To Finland, Sweden NATO Membership - Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan
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The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has claimed that it is not possible for Ankara to support Sweden and Finland in their decision to join the transatlantic military alliance (NATO) in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, signalling a possible hurdle to the two countries’ plans to join the organisation.

Speaking to correspondents in Istanbul on Friday, Erdogan observed that Turkey, which is already part of NATO, did not have what he described as ‘positive views’ on the Scandinavian countries’ moves to seek membership, accusing them of being ‘guesthouses for terrorist organisations’.

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‘They are even members of the parliament in some countries. It is not possible for us to be in favour,’ he said, without providing any further details.

Africa Daily News, New York reports that Turkey has repeatedly criticised Sweden and other western European countries for its handling of organisations deemed to be ‘terrorists’ by Ankara, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), as well as the followers of the United States-based Muslim scholar Fethullah Gulen.

Read Also: Russia’s Threat Draws New Allies to NATO’s Front Line

Ankara has said Gulenists carried out a coup attempt in 2016. Gulen and his supporters deny the accusation.

Turkey’s opposition could pose a problem for Sweden and Finland given all 30 NATO allies must unanimously approve a new country becoming part of the US-led alliance.

Erdogan said it had been an error for NATO to admit Greece, with which Ankara is at odds over a host of issues, in 1952 and urged against “similar mistakes” being made now. Turkey also joined NATO in 1952.

His remarks came after Finland’s president and prime minister on Thursday said the country must apply to join the alliance “without delay” – comments which drew the ire of Moscow and saw the Kremlin threaten to retaliate, including with unspecified “military-technical” measures.

Finland, which shares a 1,300-kilometre-long (810-mile-long) border with Russia, is expected to formally announce its decision on Sunday following a meeting of the country’s senior political figures. Sweden is expected to follow suit.

Africa Daily News, New York

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