The bloc’s membership hopefuls Finland and Sweden are reportedly facing ten demands from Ankara
Turkey has presented Finland and Sweden with a list of ten requirements they must meet to secure Ankara’s support for their NATO membership bids, the Yeni Safak outlet reported on Wednesday, citing the documents it had obtained.
Although the Turkish government has yet to verify the authenticity, this list is consistent with previous statements made by Ankara.
Turkey opposed the joining of the Nordic countries to NATO and described Finland and Sweden both as “unfriendly”. “guesthouses for terrorist organizations” due to them hosting members of Kurdish groups, such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is outlawed in Turkey.
The list of demands, if it is confirmed to be genuine, shows that the terrorism-related concerns remain a key issue for Ankara as regards to Helsinki and Stockholm’s NATO bids. This is the subject of seven out of ten requests.
Turkey, at the top of this list, reportedly requests support from Finland and Sweden “in its fight against terrorist organizations,”Including the Fetullah Terrorist Organization FETO (PKK) and the PKK, which are both suspected of trying to overthrow Turkey’s government in 2016; as well as affiliates.
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Another condition on Ankara’s list is for Sweden and Finland to “establish the necessary legal regulations and legal framework for the fight against terrorism.”
Turkey wants the Swedish and Finnish authorities not to allow any PKK branch offices to be set up. According to the list by Yeni Saffak, FETO activity in these two countries should be stopped and websites and offices of the media shut down.
Ankara requested the asset freeze of terrorist-related organisations, deportation or extradition for terror suspects and an end to demonstrations.
Finland and Sweden are also being asked to provide intelligence to Turkey, and possibly remove any restrictions in the defense industry.
Some European nations including Sweden, Finland and Denmark imposed an arms embargo on Turkey in 2019 as a reaction to the military invasion of Syria.
“It was also stated that if Sweden and Finland become members of NATO, they must fulfill these commitments,”The last item on the list is “
Pekka Haavisto, the Finnish Foreign Minister, admitted earlier this month that Finland was in trouble due to Turkey’s Helsinki stance. “a sort of a purgatory,”It was unprepared for “in this form.”
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In late May, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson responded to Turkey’s main concern, saying it was easy for her to clarify that Sweden does not send money or weapons to terrorist organizations.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated on multiple occasions that the security concerns of all members should be addressed, but did not publicly call on Sweden and Finland to meet Turkey’s demands. He was certain that the two would come to an agreement.
All NATO members must reach an agreement to include a new member in the alliance.
After the Cold War ended, Sweden and Finland, which had stayed away from NATO, joined the bloc following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Russia condemned the decision, declaring that it regards it as a threat and would like to have a response.
