Not only Sweden and Finland, but many European countries tolerate 'terrorism,' says Erdoğan

Photo: AA

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President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has once again said Turkey will not allow Sweden and Finladn's NATO membership and has also criticized other European countries for "supporting terrorism."

"Do terrorist organizations hold demonstrations in many European countries like Sweden, Finland, France, and especially Germany? They do," he told reporters after Friday prayers in Üsküdar, İstanbul.

"They spread terror with these demonstrations. And the administrations of these countries gave them every kind of guarantee.

"We have always told them about this in international meetings, as well as in bilateral meetings. We presented documents. By showing them all these video recordings, we told them, 'These are terrorist groups.'

"But, unfortunately, the West still conceals them, covers them up ... Let alone recognizing these terrorist organizations, most of the EU member countries make them speak at their parliaments.

"They host them in their parliaments. They supply them with arms and ammunition. We see these. And, since we are aggrieved by all these, we can't say yes to these terrorist organizations' accession to NATO."

The two Nordic countries on Wednesday formally applied to join NATO in a decision spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine. However, Turkey has voiced objections to the membership bids, accusing the two countries of tolerating and even supporting "terrorist" groups. (AS/VK)