Turkish defense: If Sweden fulfills commitments, it can join NATO

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
18 Jun 2023 13:50

Turkey's Defense Minister announces his approval of NATO's open-door policy but conditions that Sweden must first fulfill its commitments vis-a-vis the PKK.

Turkey’s news defense minister General Yasar Gular (left) with defense minister Hulusi Akar, on October 2019. (AP)

After the NATO defense ministers meeting in Brussels, the Turkish national defense minister Yasar Guler assured on Saturday that if Sweden fulfills its commitments like Finland, it can become a NATO member, expressing support for the alliance's "open door" policy.

Turkey has blocked Sweden's bid to enter NATO after expressing concern about the presence of the PKK organization, which Turkey considers "terrorist", in Sweden while giving Finland's NATO bid the green light.

NATO leaders are scheduled to convene in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12 to strengthen deterrence and defense, and discuss more support for Ukraine in light of the war.

"We once again expressed our support for Ukraine's territorial integrity, independence, and sovereignty, including Crimea," Guler said, adding the "need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a cease-fire to prevent further destruction and humanitarian tragedy, and we emphasized the importance of diplomacy and we are ready to do our part in these matters and in humanitarian aid, just as we have done so far."

In that context, Guler emphasized the significance and urgency of the rapid and secure continuation of grain shipments to Ukraine that is engraved in the framework of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Turkey to tackle the global food crisis.

Fighting terrorism 'without discrimination'

Three days after returning from a visit to the self-proclaimed Republic of Northern Cyprus, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined that his country "cannot have a positive approach [to Sweden’s NATO accession] under current circumstances. NATO cannot force us to admit Sweden without doing something against terrorism".

The minister shed light on the second session of the meeting at NATO headquarters while stressing the need to fortify the alliance's defense posture in the current security situation.

"In this context, we recalled that after the events in Kosovo, our country, which has historical and cultural ties with the Balkans, quickly deployed an additional reserve battalion to contribute to peace, tranquility, and stability in the region. We detailed our contributions to NATO's command and force structure, operations and missions, and efforts in land, sea, air, and space."

He said: "We expressed our sensitivity in the fight against terrorism, as we do in every environment. We underlined that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations should be fought without discrimination," Guler stated, emphasizing the importance of fighting "all terrorist organizations, including PKK/YPG/PYD, FETO, ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and others. We stated that we expect full support from all our allies in this regard."

Since July 2018, Guler has assumed the role of Chief of the General Staff. His appointment comes shortly after Erdogan was sworn in as the country's president for a third term, making him Turkey's longest-ever serving leader.