Turkey, "Finland and Sweden Must Stop Supporting Kurds to Join NATO"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Turkey has asserted that Finland and Sweden must cease their support for Kurdish groups that are in conflict with Turkey in relation to their accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). However, it is also known that Turkey is not fundamentally opposed to the two countries joining NATO.

On the 15th (local time), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevl?t ?avu?o?lu held a press conference after an informal NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Berlin, Germany, stating, "I met with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland," and added, "For Turkey to approve their NATO membership, both countries must stop supporting terrorists, including the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)." He further emphasized, "The two countries must provide clear security guarantees to Turkey and lift some export bans on defense materials to Turkey."

Earlier, on the 13th, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an publicly stated that he was "not positive" about Finland and Sweden joining NATO, sparking controversy. Turkey is the second-largest military power in NATO after the United States, and since NATO membership requires unanimous approval, if Turkey opposes, Finland and Sweden's accession is expected to be difficult.

However, Minister ?avu?o?lu drew a line by saying that, in principle, he does not oppose their membership. He said, "Turkey, which joined NATO 70 years ago, does not oppose an open-door policy," and added, "The talks with Sweden and Finland were productive, and they made proposals to alleviate Turkey's legitimate concerns, which Turkey will review."

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, also emphasized at the press conference that day, "I am confident that the accession process for Finland and Sweden can proceed swiftly," and stressed, "All allies are feeling the historic weight of this moment."