ISTANBUL: NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg urged Turkey on Sunday to abandon its opposition to Sweden’s bid to join the defense alliance, stating that Stockholm has adequately addressed Turkey’s security concerns.
Speaking to journalists after a meeting with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Stoltenberg expressed satisfaction with Sweden’s efforts, saying, “Sweden has taken significant concrete steps to meet Turkey’s concerns. Sweden has fulfilled its obligations.”
NATO Chief Attends Erdogan’s Inauguration Ceremony
Stoltenberg had attended Erdogan’s inauguration ceremony on Saturday, where the Turkish president was re-elected to serve another five-year term. The event was marked by a grand ceremony in the capital, Ankara, attended by numerous world leaders.
While Turkey is a member of NATO, it has been reluctant to endorse Sweden’s membership in the military alliance. Alongside Hungary, Turkey remains one of the two NATO member states that have yet to ratify Sweden’s bid for membership. In contrast, Finland officially became a NATO member in April.
President Erdogan has previously accused Sweden of serving as a safe haven for “terrorists,” particularly members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group that is blacklisted by Turkey and its Western allies.
