Biden talks with Turkey’s Erdogan about Sweden, Finland and NATO
President Biden spoke with his Turkish counterpart on Tuesday ahead of this week’s NATO summit as the Middle East government stands firm in its opposition to Finland and Sweden joining the Atlantic Alliance.
Biden and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by telephone, the White House said, adding that Biden “looks forward” to meeting his Turkish counterpart at the Madrid summit – where US and European officials hope for a “boost” for the Stockholm and Helsinki candidacies.
“I am not sitting here today proposing that all issues be resolved by Madrid, but we will try to resolve as many of them as possible so that Madrid provides a boost for their candidacies, although there is still some concern about it. part of Turkey that needs to be worked out, ”National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters at the G7 summit in Bavaria, Germany.
After formally applying to join NATO in May, the Nordic nations need the unanimous support of all 30 current members to be approved as members.
Turkey has been adamant about NATO expansion, accusing Finland and Sweden of taking a lax stance against “terrorists”, citing Kurdish activists.
Erdoğan stood firm on Tuesday, saying he will do “everything necessary for our country’s rights and interests.”
He was scheduled to meet with Finnish and Swedish leaders the same day, although the Turkish presidential office warned on Monday that the meeting “does not mean we will take a step back from our position.” according to Reuters.
At the same time, Erdoğan indicated that he would present documents on Kurdish “terrorist groups” to show what he called “hypocrisy” in both nations. Turkey wants Sweden and Finland to extradite wanted individuals and lift arms restrictions.
“We will clearly tell them that it is not possible to expect a different attitude from Turkey unless this picture changes,” the president said. after a government meeting.
With pole threads