The president believes that the entry of these countries into the defense alliance “implies risks for their own security and the future of the organization”
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Tayyip Erdogan (Reuters)
Recep Tayyip Erdogan outlined the reasons why his government opposes Sweden and Finland joining NATO and demanded that both countries “curb the activities of all terrorist organizations and extradite members of these organizations,” referring to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, known as PKK, which has waged an insurgency of almost four decades.
As the Turkish president stated in an article published by The Economist, the approval of the membership of both nations would entail security risks for Turkey.
Referring to the core principle of NATO’s mutual defense policy, he added: “We have every right to expect that those countries, which will expect NATO’s Second Army to come to their defense under Article 5, will impede the PKK’s recruitment, fundraising and propaganda activities.” p>
“Turkey wants the candidate countries to curb the activities of all terrorist organizations and extradite members of these organizations. We provide clear evidence to the authorities in these countries and we expect them to act. Also, Turkey wants these countries to support the anti-terrorist operations of NATO members. (…) Unless they take the necessary measures, Turkey will not change its position on this issue”, he warned.
For entry to take place, all NATO members must approve the candidacy of the two Nordic countries, prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. NATO leaders hope that the summit to be held in Spain at the end of June will be the opportunity for the historic expansion.
NATO leaders. A veto is enough to stop the incorporation of new members (Reuters)
The group known as PKK is designated as a terrorist entity by the United States and the European Union, including Sweden and Finland. However, the West’s attitude towards the PKK’s Syrian wing, the People’s Protection Units, or YPG, has caused acrimony between Ankara and other NATO members. The YPG form the backbone of the forces involved in the US-led fight against the Islamic State group.
Erdogan also said the arms embargoes were “incompatible with the spirit of military partnership”.
Sweden and Finland were among the countries that placed restrictions on defense exports to Turkey following its 2019 incursion into northeastern Syria, aimed at pushing back the YPG. In recent days, Erdogan has promised a new cross-border operation against the group.
The president exposed Turkey’s role in “possibly the largest military alliance in history” since it joined in 1952 and called on other NATO members to persuade Sweden and Finland to change their positions.
“The position of Sweden and Finland towards the national security concerns and considerations of other countries, with which they would like to be allies, will determine to what extent Turkey will want to be allied with those countries. States”, he added. “We believe that the reputation and credibility of the alliance will be at risk if NATO members follow double standards when it comes to fighting terrorism.”
Finland and Sweden have tried to negotiate a solution, and other NATO capitals have said they remain confident that objections raised by Turkey — which has NATO’s second-largest army — can be overcome.
(With information from AP and Reuters)