First comment from Sweden on Turkey’s decision

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bilström made a statement regarding Turkey’s start of the approval process for Finland.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bilström, speaking of Turkey’s initiation of the approval process for Finland only during the Swedish NATO accession process, said: “Being Sweden outside of NATO does not change anything in the short term. But it is also true that if this process drags on, a lot will change. Finland will be more integrated into NATO, and Sweden will remain on the sidelines.” said.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that they have decided to start the process of approving the protocol for Finland’s accession to NATO in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Claiming that Sweden had failed to fulfill its obligations, Erdogan said: “They accepted the terrorists. We gave a list of 120 terrorists, we said: “Give us”, they did not give, they could not. If we do not do this, we will not be able to have a positive attitude towards Sweden. As long as we see negative steps against Turkey in the fight against terrorism, we are ready to take any position, no matter where it comes from.” said.

The first announcement regarding Turkey’s decision came from Sweden.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Bilström assessed Turkey’s decision to initiate the ratification process by presenting the protocol on Finland’s accession to NATO to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly at a press conference held by him.

Regarding the start of the approval process in Turkey for Finnish membership from two countries that applied for NATO membership on the same day, Billström said: “As we predicted, Turkey has started the process of approving Finland’s membership in NATO. This is a development that we did not want, but we are ready.” used phrases.