Memorandum with Finland, Sweden a “diplomatic victory” for Turkey: Erdogan
MADRID
The memorandum with Finland and Sweden is a “diplomatic victory” for Turkey, said President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday.
At a press conference in Madrid, Erdogan said that Ankara would closely monitor the implementation of the points agreed in the memorandum “and take action accordingly.”
Türkiye sees the agreement as an “understanding of its sensitivity”, he said, calling it the “beginning” of a process.
The agreement, which was signed on Tuesday after talks between the leaders of the three countries and NATO, paved the way for the alliance to officially invite Finland and Sweden to join its ranks.
The two countries have promised to address Turkey’s concerns about terrorism and lift an arms embargo on Ankara.
It also states that Finland and Sweden will work closely with Turkey on issues relating to the exchange of information, extradition and, in general, the fight against terrorism.
“Sweden has promised to extradite 73 terrorists to Turkey,” Erdogan said.
Regarding NATO’s counter-terrorism efforts, he said it was important for the Alliance to show its determination to fight terrorism in all its forms, but that “it should not just remain on paper.”
Regarding the war in Ukraine, the Turkish president said that NATO “fully supports” Kyiv but must also show a “vision of peace and strive to stop the humanitarian tragedy as soon as possible.”
Asked about US President Joe Biden’s comments on the potential sale of the F-16 to Ankara, Erdogan said a Turkish delegation would travel to the United States “without delay” to gather Republican support in the congressional sale.
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