Turkey sets out 10 conditions for Finland and Sweden to join NATO

According to RT, the information was provided by Yeni Safak news agency on June 8, citing documents collected. While the Turkish government has yet to confirm the authenticity of the claims list, they are similar to previous official statements from Ankara.

Turkey has objected to Finland and Sweden becoming NATO members, accusing the two Nordic countries of “hosting terrorist organizations”, namely members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the anti-Ankara is considered outlawed in Turkey.

If verified, the list of requests shows that terrorism concerns remain a key issue for Turkey. 7/10 of Ankara’s requests to Finland and Sweden are related to this issue.

At the top of the list, Turkey asked Helsinki and Stockholm to assist it “in the fight against terrorist organizations”, including the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), which it is accused of having hidden. coup attempt in Turkey in 2016, as well as their affiliates. Another condition is that Finland and Sweden must “establish the necessary legal provisions and legal framework for the fight against terrorism”.

Turkey also wants the two Nordic countries to block any attempts to set up offices of PKK affiliates. FETO’s activities in the two countries must be banned and its websites and press offices closed. Ankara also requires an asset freeze on terrorist organizations, the expulsion and extradition of terrorist suspects, and a ban on demonstrations.

At Ankara’s request, Finland and Sweden must also share intelligence and lift restrictions in the defense sector imposed on Turkey. In 2019, a number of European countries, including Finland and Sweden, implemented a ban on arms sales with Turkey in response to its military attack in Syria.

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto admitted earlier in June that, due to the stance of Turkish officials, Finland saw the country as “in a situation of atonement”, which they were not ready for. Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson responded to Ankara’s main concern, saying she could easily make it clear that Stockholm does not send money or weapons to terrorist organizations.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has repeatedly stated that the security concerns of all alliance members need to be addressed. However, he did not publicly call on Finland and Sweden to respond to Turkey’s claims. The official is optimistic that the countries will certainly overcome disagreements.

Tuan Anh

Why does Turkey want to block Sweden and Finland from joining NATO?After initial hesitation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan doubled down on his threat to veto Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO.