Türkiye opposes Finland and Sweden joining NATO
Türkiye will not agree to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on May 16, adding that any attempt to change Ankara's stance would be unsuccessful.
Sweden and Finland officially announced their decision to join NATO last weekend. Türkiye had previously warned that it would oppose the move after President Erdogan called the two countries "guest houses for terrorist organizations." The Turkish leader was referring to the separatist Kurdistan People's Party (PKK) and the Revolutionary People's Liberation Front (DHKP/C), which Ankara considers illegal.
 |
| Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: Getty |
"These countries do not have a clear stance against terrorist organizations. Sweden is a center for 'incubation' of terrorist organizations. They bring terrorists to exchange in Parliament. We will not say yes to their joining NATO - a security organization," Mr. Erdogan said.
Sweden's foreign ministry said on May 16 that senior officials from Helsinki and Stockholm had traveled to Türkiye to discuss the issue, but Erdogan made it clear that such discussions would be futile.
To join NATO, a country must receive unanimous approval from all 30 alliance members. However, Ankara is likely to reverse this decision under pressure from the US.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoana said earlier he was sure the organization would overcome Türkiye's reservations.
Sweden and Finland have decided to reconsider their non-alignment policies after seeing a major shift in public opinion over the ongoing war in Ukraine. According to recent opinion polls, a majority of respondents in both countries support joining NATO.
However, the decision of the two countries to join NATO has been criticized by Russia. According to President Putin, these developments will further aggravate the world security situation./.
