Sweden and Finland allowed to join NATO after Turkey's agreement
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish President Recept Tayyip Erdogan and his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto after signing a document in Madrid, during the NATO summit, June 28, 2022 © Yves Herman / Reuters
Text by: RFI Follow
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The NATO countries, meeting at a summit in Madrid, will officially “invite” Sweden and Finland on Wednesday June 29 to join the Atlantic Alliance, after the lifting on Tuesday June 28 of the Turkish veto on their membership.
Ankara was opposed to their entry, accusing them of supporting Kurdish PKK fighters and their allies, considered terrorists.
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"
I am delighted to announce that we have an agreement which paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO
" and which responds "
to Turkey's concerns about arms exports and the fight against terrorism
", declared this Tuesday the Secretary General of the Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg.
The three countries have "
signed a memorandum which responds to Turkey's concerns, particularly regarding arms exports and the fight against terrorism
", added the NATO Secretary General.
This after more than three hours of discussions this Tuesday in Madrid, on the sidelines of the Atlantic Alliance summit.
"
Turkey got what it wanted
," the Turkish presidency said in a statement.
The two candidate countries are committed to "
full cooperation with Turkey in the fight
" against the Kurdistan Workers' Party, the PKK, considered by Ankara and its Western allies as a terrorist organization, as well as against the movements linked to it. affiliates, it is specified in this text.
Helsinki and Stockholm also pledge to “
show solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism in all its forms
”.
Similarly, the two capitals have agreed not to "
impose restrictions or embargoes on defense industries
", continued the presidency.
These were the main demands of Turkey to lift its objection to the enlargement of NATO to Sweden and Finland.
Fetullah Gülen's movement considered "terrorist"
The Turkish presidency further affirms that the two new entrants will take “
concrete measures for the extradition of terrorist criminals
” from their territory, and for “
prohibiting the fundraising and recruitment activities of the PKK and its affiliates
” at home.
Finally, she welcomes the fact that the "Fetö" movement of preacher Fetullah Gülen, based in the United States and which Recep Tayyip Erdogan holds responsible for the 2016 coup attempt, is recognized as "
a terrorist organization
" .
just like the PKK, the YPG and the others.
She sees it as "
a very important step in the international dimension of Turkey's fight
" against terrorism.
The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will make the Alliance "
stronger and more secure
", British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reacted on Tuesday evening.
This is "
fantastic news as we begin our NATO summit
," he said on Twitter.
The membership of Sweden and Finland will make our brilliant alliance stronger and more secure
,” he continued.
►Read also: Madrid summit: facing NATO, Turkey will be "in a position of strength"
(With AFP & Reuters)
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