Finland and Sweden ‘ready to address Turkey's concerns’

Photo:President Biden hosting Finland President Sauli Niinistö and Sweden Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson at the White House

Click to read the article in Turkish

US President Joe Biden said that "they forcefully supported the applications of Sweden and Finland to join NATO" in a meeting with the leaders of the two countries at the White House yesterday (May 19).

"Both of the two countries meet every NATO requirement," Biden said.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that he will not say yes to Sweden and Finland's applications for NATO membership.

Erdoğan thinks "Neither of these countries has a clear, open attitude towards the terrorist organizations," and defined especially Sweden as a "hatchery for terrorist organizations."

"We have told our relevant friends we would say 'no' to Finland and Sweden's entry into NATO, and we will continue on our path like this," Erdoğan.

To be a member of both Finland and Sweden needs the approval of all NATO members.

CLICK- Erdoğan: Turkey will say no to Sweden and Finland's NATO bid

Biden's full approval

Rejecting Erdoğan's concerns, Biden said, "New members joining Nato is not a threat to any nation."

"Having two new members would enhance the security of our allies and deepen our security co-operation across the board," he added.

Finland's Niinistö said that "As NATO allies, we will commit to Turkey's security, just as Turkey will commit to our security,"

"We take terrorism seriously. We condemn terrorism in all its forms and we are actively engaged in combating it."

Both the leaders of Finland and Sweden said that their governments are already in discussions with Erdoğan: "We are trying to overcome Turkey's opposition openly and constructively."

"The Russian invasion changed everything"

Sweden Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also stated that they are ready to meet the requirements of NATO.

"Sweden has chosen a new path. Russia's attack on Ukraine changed everything for us. Our people decided that Swedish security would be most successfully maintained within NATO." Andersson said.

"We hope that our application will be accepted quickly. We continue to meet with all our allies, including Turkey, to resolve the issues."

Holland Prime Minister Rutte: "The problem will be solved"

On the other hand, Holland Prime Minister Mark Rutte met with Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz in The Hague, yesterday.

Scholz welcomed the Nordic countries' bids.

"If you identify a general will, then it is that Sweden and Finland should quickly become members so I am confident that the many efforts that are underway to enable a joint decision will be successful," Scholz said.

Rutte also stated that he believes the problem with Turkey will be solved. 

CLICK-Sweden, Finland, NATO and Turkey's veto

CLICK-Will Sweden hand over dissident author to Turkey to become a NATO member?

CLICK-"NATO has never brought safety to the world"

(AEK/TB/VK)