Erdogan pledges to facilitate Sweden's NATO membership bid

President of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan stated that he would do everything in his power to help Sweden’s parliamentary ratification of its NATO membership, but he also pointed out that Stockhom had not yet taken enough action against Kurdish militants.

Last month, Erdogan approved Sweden’s application to join NATO and sent the bill to parliament for ratification. Stockholm and the NATO alliance applauded this move. Turkey had originally objected, claiming that Sweden was providing sanctuary to groups it considered terrorist.

Speaking to reporters on a flight back from Kazakhstan on Friday, Erdogan said that while Stockholm had taken some action regarding arms embargoes against Turkey and protests organised by the banned Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), it had not taken any action regarding the PKK’s operations in Sweden.

Before the entire general assembly votes on the bill, the foreign affairs committee of parliament must approve it. Then Erdogan would ratify it.

Extended-neutral The invasion of Ukraine by Russia last year prompted Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO in order to strengthen their security. Although Sweden’s bid had been stalled by Turkey and Hungary, Finland’s membership was officially confirmed in April.

(With agency inputs)