– We just finished a particularly constructive meeting. I am happy to announce that we have an agreement that paves the way for Sweden and Finland to join NATO, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference ahead of the NATO Summit in Madrid.
Stoltenberg said Sweden and Finland have signed an agreement that addresses Turkey’s concerns. The three heads of state agreed on issues related to arms exports and the fight against terrorism.
The Scandinavian countries committed themselves to working with Turkey on issues related to terrorism and terrorist groups.
The agreement came after a meeting that lasted several hours between the three heads of state and Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
– We’ve had long discussions and it’s hard to know exactly what made them accept it. But overall, it’s a good agreement that we’ve reached, says Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson SVT.
Applications from the two Scandinavian nations can now be considered at the summit, which begins on Wednesday.
Heads of State Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Sauli Niinisto and Magdalena Anderson discussed the four-hour meeting chaired by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Photo: Violetta Santos Mora/Reuters
When Stoltenberg announced the deal, he emphasized Turkey’s security concerns.
No ally has suffered as many brutal terrorist attacks as Turkey. They include attacks by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) terrorist group. The governments of the three countries agreed to expand cooperation in combating terrorism. As NATO allies, Stoltenberg says, Finland and Sweden will help protect Turkey from terrorism.
Støre: – Historic day
– This is a historic day. With Sweden and Finland joining NATO, we will have a stronger defense alliance in Europe, says Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store after the agreement between the three countries became clear.
Defense Minister Björn Arild Gramm warmly welcomes Sweden and Finland. Secretary of State Anken Hoetfeldt believes that this secures cooperation in the North.
– This is a very special evening. I am very pleased to see that everything is ready for Sweden and Finland as allies, the night before the start of the NATO Summit. Now, all of our Nordic neighbors are standing together for a more comprehensive cooperation, says Heuitfeldt.
Erdogan: We got what we wanted
Turkey exercised its veto in NATO and prevented Sweden and Finland from applying for membership in the alliance. I asked the country A number of requirements for both countries to become members. Turkey owes its land to support groups it considers terrorist.
According to Reuters, US President Joe Biden spoke with Turkish President Erdogan earlier today at the request of Sweden and Finland.
Turkish President Erdogan said they received what they wanted through negotiations, according to Agence France-Presse.
The agreement was published by the Turkish government on Twitter. It seems here that Sweden and Finland are obligated, among other things
- Show solidarity with Turkey in the fight against all terrorism
- Full cooperation with Turkey in the war against Kurdistan workers’ party
- Promise not to support organizations PYD / YPG And the veto
- Avoiding restrictions on arms exports and increasing defense cooperation
- Take concrete measures to extradite terrorist offenders and establish bilateral agreement arrangements
Sweden and Finland, among others, should have a law to enter into extradition agreements and lift the arms embargo on Turkey.
Photo: NATO/Reuters
Sweden has other laws
The agreement must be viewed in light of the fact that Turkey has long demanded the extradition of dozens of Kurds from the two northern countries.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö told Reuters that the tripartite agreement would relate to the principle of extradition of wanted persons linked to terrorism, not individuals.
Sweden changed laws and launched new investigations against the PKK to meet demands from Turkey, type SVT.
– It was a very long meeting, where I could talk about all the measures we have taken in Sweden on the Terrorism Act, where in recent years we have already tightened the legislation, says Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson SVT.
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