Turkey to decide on ratifying Sweden's NATO membership asap: Erdogan
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Nevertheless, the Turkish President said there is no plan to consider the protocol in October after returning from vacation.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan talks at a NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 12, 2023. (AP)
According to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday, Sweden's NATO membership application would be swiftly considered by the Turkish General Assembly, the nation's parliament.
After the NATO summit in Vilnius, Erdogan said, "There is no talk of the parliament considering the protocol in October after returning from vacation. However, many international agreements and laws have accumulated in the parliament, but we take into account the importance of this step. Our goal is to complete this task as soon as possible."
Erdogan stated on Wednesday that he anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August to talk about a variety of topics, including the transfer of the commanders of the nationalist Azov Battalion back to Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on July 8 that the Azov Battalion's commanders had returned to Ukraine from Turkey.
To answer a related question during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Erdogan said he was convinced that they will hold a face-to-face meeting in August, with Putin, and will discuss these topics again.
Following negotiations, Turkey agreed to Ukraine's request for the transfer of militants from the Azov region, Erdogan continued.
However, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov, the meeting between Erdogan and Putin has not yet been scheduled in detail.
"The dates have not yet been determined," Peskov told Sputnik after Erdogan's announcement.
Positive outcome of F-16 deal after meeting with Biden
After meeting with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, the Turkish President voiced optimism for a successful outcome of the agreement to buy F-16 fighter fighters from the US.
"Mr. President [Joe Biden] told us that the position of the US Congress was mandatory in this process. He assured that he would do everything in his power. I have more hope for this question now than ever," Erdogan said after the end of the second day of the summit.
Fast-tracking Sweden's NATO membership bid
He also said Sweden will give Turkey a roadmap for tackling terrorism and actively assist Ankara in its pursuit of EU membership.
"In accordance with the commitments made by Sweden, we will strengthen cooperation within the framework of the bilateral ministerial security mechanism and in the fight against terrorism. Sweden will provide a road map to combat terrorist groups. In addition, Stockholm will actively support Turkey's membership in the EU and the extension of customs agreement," Erdogan said.
It is worth noting that Erdogan has agreed to promptly submit the NATO accession protocol for Sweden to the Turkish parliament for ratification, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. He added that the last decision would be taken by the Turkish Parliament.
Following a constructive meeting with President Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson, Stoltenberg announced the positive outcome, emphasizing Erdogan's commitment to advancing the protocol.
