Turkey expects Sweden to take more steps against terrorism
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara wants to see laws implemented on the extradition of criminals, freezing terrorist assets and ending terrorist activities in the Nordic country.
Turkey’s foreign minister has said that a trilateral meeting with his Swedish and Finnish counterparts on the sidelines of a NATO gathering had followed up on the Nordic countries’ applications to join the military alliance, but that Sweden needs to take more steps against terrorism.
“At yesterday’s meeting, we welcomed the steps taken (toward membership) and the determination of the new Swedish government, which is more determined than the previous one,” Mevlut Cavusoglu told a press conference on Wednesday after a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Romania. capital Bucharest.
After Sweden and Finland announced their NATO bids in May, Turkish officials expressed concern about the countries’ tolerance and even support for terrorist groups.
At a trilateral meeting in June, the three countries signed a memorandum according to which the Nordic countries promise to address Turkey’s concerns.
Cavusoglu said that Türkiye has not yet seen any concrete steps from Sweden on the extradition of criminals, the freezing of terrorist assets and the termination of terrorist activities of (PKK-YPG) in the country, Cavusoglu cited legislation in this regard but emphasized that they want to see laws “implemented” .
“Separately from the NATO bids, we are aware that the new government is more sincere in the fight against terrorism,” he added, referring to Sweden’s government that took power in October.
On the war in Ukraine, Cavusoglu said his country continues its humanitarian aid to Ukraine and its people and promised to continue efforts for confidence-building measures.
“Our main goal is to keep diplomatic channels open. We explain and demonstrate the necessity of maintaining diplomacy even as the war continues,” he said.
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Expectations from NATO
When asked about Turkey’s expectations from NATO allies on its anti-terror efforts, Cavusoglu said: “The support of some allies, especially the United States, for terrorist groups in Syria is crystal clear. Therefore, we reiterate the need to end this type of support.”
Turkey has long protested US support for the YPG/PKK terror group in northern Syria, along Turkey’s borders, and the US has said it is allied with the group to fight Daesh. Turkish authorities say it makes no sense to use one terrorist group to fight another.
In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the EU – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.
The YPG is its terrorist branch in Syria.
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Source: AA