Ankara won’t change its position on the admission of Sweden and Finland to NATO until the two countries take necessary steps, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in an op-ed for the Economist.
"Turkey wants the candidate countries to curb the activities of all terrorist organizations and extradite the members of these organizations. We provided clear evidence to the authorities in these countries and waited for action from them. Also Turkey wants these countries to support the anti-terror operations of NATO members. Terrorism is a threat for all members and the candidate countries should recognize this reality before joining. Unless they take necessary steps, Turkey will not change its position on this issue," Erdogan pointed out.
He also stated that "Turkey’s objection to the admission of Sweden and Finland, which remained neutral up until the most recent developments, represents a decisive step taken on behalf of all nations that have been targeted by terrorist organizations to date." "Terrorism has no religion, nation or colour. That each member state decisively stands up to any organization that aims to harm the civilian population is one of NATO’s core aims. No country enjoys any privilege in that regard," the Turkish president emphasized.
