Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: Venezuela airspace should be considered 'closed in its entirety'
AFP: Ukraine behind attack on Russian 'shadow fleet' tankers in Black Sea
Sheikh Qassem: We, our allies, the honorable in our nation, our people, and our army will never accept being subservient to the US or 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: They must despair, for whatever they do, this people cannot be defeated or broken, and we shall neither fall nor yield
Sheikh Qassem: Threats neither advance nor delay matters, yet the possibility of war or its absence exists because 'Israel' and the US are weighing their options
Sheikh Qassem: All these threats are simply a form of political pressure after a whole year of efforts proved ineffective
Sheikh Qassem: 'Israel's' 'servants' in Lebanon are few, but they cause problems by obstructing the country’s stability, growth, and liberation alongside the US and 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: Weapons block 'Israel’s' project, and anyone seeking disarmament plays into 'Israel’s' hands
Sheikh Qassem: The agreement came because we held fast, empowered by our vision, our faith, our will, our people, our patriotism, and our unwavering attachment to our land
Sheikh Qassem: People of Might Battle was a confrontation by a modest force, incomparable to the enemy's strength, but it was noble in spirit, brimming with courage, resolve, and unwavering faith in victory

Stoltenberg says to go to Turkey to discuss Sweden accession to NATO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 Jun 2023 16:21
3 Min Read

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says he will be going to Turkey to discuss Sweden's bid to get into NATO.

  • x
  • NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prior to a group photo as part of a meeting of NATO's foreign ministers in Oslo, June 1, 2023 (AP)
    NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg talks to German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken prior to a group photo as part of a meeting of NATO's foreign ministers in Oslo, June 1, 2023 (AP)

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday he would soon travel to Turkey to discuss Sweden's NATO membership, as the West is still trying to convince Ankara to allow Stockholm into the alliance after the bid was pushed for months due to objections from Turkey and Hungary.

Stoltenberg revealed during a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo that he had spoken earlier in the week to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan who won re-election as president on Sunday.

As Erdogan was once again elected into office, NATO foreign ministers were optimistic that he would now allow Sweden to join the military alliance.

"Now that Turkish elections are over, it is important that Turkey goes on with the ratification process," Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said.

Several foreign ministers expressed hopeful confidence that Stockholm could become a member before or even at the Vilnius, Lithuania, NATO summit set for July.

"There is a very high expectation that the Swedish flag will be raised (in Vilnius)," Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said.

Sweden claims to have met all the conditions set to become a NATO member, with Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstorm telling reporters, "We have fulfilled all our commitments."

Read next: Swedes reject legal concessions to win Turkey’s NATO assent: Poll

"It is time for Turkey and Hungary to start the ratification of Swedish membership to NATO," the top Swedish diplomat underlined.

Stoltenberg said Tuesday that it was "absolutely possible" to decide on Sweden's NATO membership before the alliance's July summit.

There are no guarantees, "but it's absolutely possible to reach a solution and enable the decision on full membership for Sweden by then," he told reporters in Oslo.

"We don't have any certainty. Of course, we are speaking about sovereign decisions by national parliaments," he said, adding that there was "a window now especially after the Turkish elections and with a Turkish parliament being constituted."

Sweden and its neighbor Finland applied to join NATO last year, citing changes in the European security scene as a result of the Ukraine crisis. While Finland went on to become a member, Turkey and Hungary have stymied Sweden's bid, with Budapest citing grievances over Stockholm's criticism of Orban's record on democracy and the rule of law, and Ankara accusing Sweden of harboring what it sees as Kurdish terrorists and, most recently, meddling in Turkish elections.

Additionally, Ankara suspended negotiations with Sweden in outrage following rallies attacking the Turkish leadership in Stockholm and the burning of the holy Quran outside Turkey's embassy, but the talks resumed in Brussels on March 9.

  • Hungary
  • Turkey
  • Nato
  • Finland
  • Sweden

Most Read

13 elite Israeli troops were wounded in a confrontations in Beit Jinn, Syria.

13 elite Israeli troops wounded in confrontations in southern Syria

  • West Asia
  • 28 Nov 2025
Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
A boy tries to stand near missiles displayed in the National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (AP)

Key Israeli sites destroyed, nuclear docs moved to Tehran: Minister

  • Politics
  • 22 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
National Guard are seen after reports of two National Guard soldiers shot near the White House in Washington, Wednesday, November 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Politics

NG shooting suspect belonged to CIA 'Zero Units' in Afghanistan

This satellite image taken by Airbus DS shows objects on the ground at the Saudi Maternity Hospital in el-Fasher, Sudan (AP)
Politics

Inside the RSF’s brutal campaign against El Fasher’s healthcare

Lebanon urges UN action as 'Israel' builds new walls inside its border
Politics

Lebanon files UN complaint over Israeli concrete walls inside border

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation
Politics

UN slams 'Israel' over Gaza torture reports, urges full investigation

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS