Turkey remains negative on Finland, Sweden's NATO bids

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday again claimed that Turkey's concerns over Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO were not responded to with any substantial steps, reported news agency Xinhua, quoting statements issued by Turkish President Office.

Erdogan in a telephone conversation told NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Finland and Sweden had to take sincere and tangible steps over the harboring of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Syria's Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) within their borders.

He pointed out that the military and industrial sanctions on Turkey should be lifted and not be put back into effect after the accession.

In a separate call, Erdogan told Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson that there was no change of attitude by Sweden regarding PKK and YPG and the Nordic country had yet to take solid steps aimed at quelling Turkey's concerns.

According to the statement, Erdogan also reiterated Turkey's expectations of lifting all sanctions on the Turkish defense and weapons industries.

“Good call earlier today with President Erdogan of Türkiye on Sweden’s NATO application. Agreed on importance of making progress in run-up to the NATO Summit in Madrid next week, where I look forward to meeting President Erdogan and other Allied leaders,” the Swedish Premier wrote in her twitter after the phone call.

NATO membership applications by Finland and Sweden were blocked by Turkey, which accused the two countries of hosting outlawed separatists and putting sanctions against their would-be ally.

On June 20, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that talks on Finland and Sweden's applications for NATO membership will continue and he looked forward to finding a way forward within quickest possible time.

Earlier on May 16, Finland and Sweden formally submitted their applications for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeatedly said that Turkey will not allow Finland and Sweden to enter NATO.

Delegations from Finland and Sweden were in Ankara on May 25 seeking to address Turkish objections to their joining the NATO military alliance.

On 12 June, NATO Chief during his visit to Finland underscored the need for addressing concerns raised by Turkey regarding terrorist group PKK.

Earlier on June 15, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Turkey wants written assurances from the two Nordic countries in order to make progress in their NATO membership.