NATO working with Turkey, Nordics to address 'legitimate' concerns
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Jens Stoltenberg meets with Finnish President to discuss Turkey's concerns hoping to find common ground before the next NATO summit in Madrid.
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Stoltenberg speaking to reporters at Finnish President Sauli Niinisto’s summer residence in Kultaranta
Jens Stoltenberg, head of NATO, said on Sunday that he remains in contact with leaders of Finland, Sweden, and Turkey as they attempt to overcome Ankara’s concerns regarding the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.
Stoltenberg told reporters at Finnish President Sauli Niinisto’s summer residence in Kultaranta that he remains “in close contact with you and with our colleagues in Sweden and with our ally Turkey on the way ahead." Turkey’s concerns have been described as “legitimate” by Stoltenberg.
On his part, Finnish President was surprised by Turkey’s opposition to Finland’s bid to join NATO. However, Niinisto vowed to take Ankara’s concerns seriously, in a bid to find a common ground they can both agree on.
Read more: Turkey's issues with Finland can be solved before Madrid Summit - FM
The majority of Turkish people oppose the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO over their open support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Kurdish YPG militia, which Ankara designated as terrorists, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier this month.
Moreover, Turkey said it would not back Helsinki and Stockholm because they do not have “a clear unequivocal stance” against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Front, groups that Ankara considers terrorist organizations.
Turkey's Demands
Previously, citing "three senior Turkish officials," Bloomberg revealed Turkey's demands for NATO and prospective members Finland and Sweden:
1. Denouncing PKK and affiliates
According to Bloomberg, Turkish leadership demands that Sweden and Finland “publicly denounce not only the PKK, but also its affiliates before being allowed to join the bloc.”
2. Lift trade restrictions on Turkey
The Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said his country also wants Sweden and Finland to lift trade restrictions imposed on Turkey. However, as Bloomberg sources revealed under the condition of anonymity, Turkey has a large wishlist.
3. Re-included in the F-35 aircraft program
“Turkey wants to be re-included in the F-35 advanced aircraft program, from which it was barred after it bought S-400 missile-defense systems from Russia. It also has an outstanding request to the US to purchase dozens of F-16 warplanes and upgrade kits for its existing fleet,” Bloomberg wrote.
4. US to ease sanctions on Turkey
Ankara also wants the United States to ease sanctions placed on it for purchasing S-400 weaponry. However, the agency's sources denied that Turkey's objections to Finland and Sweden's NATO membership were tied to Ankara's connections with Moscow.
Russia has cautioned Helsinki and Stockholm not to join the group and has guaranteed an appropriate response if they do.
Stoltenberg will visit Sweden on Monday and discuss its path to NATO membership as the disagreements are expected to be settled by the next NATO summit, in Madrid on June 29-30.
