Sweden has taken “significant measures” to address Turkey’s requests, according to NATO’s top official.

Sweden has taken “significant measures” to address Turkey’s requests, according to NATO’s top official.

Web Desk
June 14, 2022

Sweden has taken “significant measures” to address Turkey’s requests, according to NATO’s top official.

During a visit to Sweden on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Sweden has taken substantial efforts to meet Turkey’s prerequisites for granting Stockholm’s NATO membership application.
In reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance last month.
Turkey has objected to their applications, citing what it considers to be Swedish assistance for Kurdish insurgents as well as a prior decision to revoke arms export licences to Turkey.

During a visit to Sweden on Monday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Sweden has taken substantial efforts to meet Turkey’s prerequisites for granting Stockholm’s NATO membership application.

In reaction to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance last month. Turkey has objected to their applications, citing what it considers to be Swedish assistance for Kurdish insurgents as well as a prior decision to revoke arms export licences to Turkey.

“I welcome the fact that Sweden has already begun to change its counter-terrorism legislation, and that Sweden will ensure that the legal framework for arms export reflects Sweden’s future status as a NATO member with new commitments to allies,” Stoltenberg said at a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven. In Harpsund, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg meets with Swedish Prime Minister Andersson.

The Kultaranta Talks, hosted by Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, bring together NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Andersson in Harpsund.

On June 12, 2022, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg speaks at the start of the Kultaranta Talks, which are hosted by the Finnish President at his summer estate Kultaranta in Naantali, Finland. Markku Ulander/Lehtikuva

“These are two critical measures in responding to Turkey’s concerns.” Andersson stated that Sweden has modified its terrorist legislation and was working on tightening them even more.

“From the first of July we will also have even stronger legislation when it comes to the fight against terrorism. So here there are no questions about how strongly Sweden sees (on) terrorism and that we are willing to contribute to the fight against terrorism,” she said.

Stoltenberg also stated that the goal was to have Sweden and Finland join NATO “as soon as possible,” and that it was unthinkable that NATO partners would not defend Sweden if it was attacked. Johan Ahlander and Simon Johnson contributed reporting, while Simon Johnson edited the piece.

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