Ten Requirements
While the NATO memberships of Finland and Sweden are being discussed, Turkey insists that it does not want to see countries that do not move away from terrorist states in the alliance. reported Newspaper Yeni Safaq.
As Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan put it, the “persistent reluctance to discuss their relations with terrorist organizations” by the countries that have suggested to Ankara “to show flexibility in NATO’s enlargement” “proves the justification” of Turkey’s “decisive position”.
The newspaper also reported that Ankara has set ten conditions for Sweden and Finland to lift their veto on NATO membership.
According to the newspaper, Turkey offered support to both countries in its “fight against terrorist organizations”. These include the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front, the Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen (FETÖ) organization and its affiliates.
Referring to the second condition, the publication stated that “Sweden and Finland, which are supporters of terrorist organizations, should establish the necessary legal norms and legal infrastructure for the fight against terrorism.”
Under Ankara’s conditions, both Scandinavian countries must “suppress attempts to close and open representative offices in their countries of PKK extensions” to remove the veto on NATO membership.
In addition, it is important for Sweden and Finland to “prevent FETÖ from operating in both countries and to shut down affiliated websites and media outlets”.
Turkey also demanded that countries freeze terrorism-related assets and affiliated associations.
Ankara attaches “special importance” to the deportation and extradition of persons linked to terrorism by Sweden and Finland.
The newspaper stated, “It is forbidden for terrorist organizations such as the PKK and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front to allow demonstrations.”
Turkey also asked the two countries to “share intelligence” with Ankara.
“Both countries were asked to lift restrictions on the defense industry in relation to Turkey,” the report said.
The tenth condition is Sweden and Finland’s obligation to fulfill the first nine if they join NATO.
Sweden and Finland in NATO
After Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden handed over their applications to join the North Atlantic Alliance to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on May 18.
However, Turkey vetoed the start of negotiations on the proposals. Erdogan said Ankara could not say “yes” to the NATO membership of Finland and Sweden because they could not believe its assurances regarding its relations with representatives of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which is banned in Turkey.
However, in a speech to the public on May 23, Erdogan said that Sweden and Finland would do “everything it can” to join NATO if the Scandinavian countries change their stance on issues concerning Ankara.
“I emphasize once again: Those who support and protect terrorists should reconsider their unlawful and arrogant stance against us,” Erdogan said.
The Russian Foreign Ministry reacted sharply to the decision of Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Alliance. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the security of these countries will not be ensured in this way.
On May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that NATO enlargement was artificial. According to him, this is done in the interests of the USA.
The day before, NATO Deputy Secretary General Camille Grand declarationNATO cannot guarantee Russia that it will not deploy nuclear weapons on Finnish and Swedish soil if they join the organization. He stressed that each country is free to accept such weapons or not.
Asked by the leading RTS TV channel whether the North Atlantic Alliance expects a “military response” or a “show of force” from the Russian Federation if the Scandinavian countries join NATO, Gran said, “The Russians themselves said this is not necessary.”
NATO Deputy Secretary General concluded that Finland and Sweden are talking about the defense of states that do not want to confront Russia.