Turkey Urges the EU to Clear Path for Membership Before Approving Sweden’s NATO Entry
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasized on Thursday the need for the European Union (EU) to facilitate Turkey’s membership before its parliament greenlights Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Prior to his departure for the NATO summit in Lithuania, President Erdogan asserted that Sweden’s NATO membership hinged upon the fulfillment of the agreements established during last summer’s summit. However, he firmly stated that Turkey should not be expected to make concessions.
Furthermore, Erdogan expressed his optimism that once the conflict between Ukraine and Russia is resolved, the process of Ukraine joining NATO would become smoother.
During his visit, Erdogan plans to engage in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the extension of an agreement to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. This agreement, expiring on Wednesday, remains of significant interest to both nations. Putin also disclosed his intentions to visit Turkey in August.
In response to Erdogan’s remarks, a spokesperson for the European Commission stressed that NATO and EU enlargement are separate processes. He clarified that the admission process for each prospective member country is evaluated on its individual merits and thus cannot be combined.
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, when asked about Erdogan’s comments, expressed support for Turkey’s EU membership. However, he also affirmed that Sweden has already met the necessary conditions for NATO membership. “Positive decisions about Sweden are still plausible,” he remarked during the NATO summit.
The White House reiterated its longstanding support for Turkey’s EU membership and pledged continued assistance. Nevertheless, it emphasized that the current focus lies on Sweden, expressing confidence in Sweden’s readiness to join NATO.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the European Union should pave the way for Turkey to join the EU before the country’s parliament approves Sweden’s membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Taken on the 8th. (2023 REUTERS/Umit Bektas)
ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday that the European Union should pave the way for Turkey to join the EU before its parliament approves Sweden’s entry into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Before his departure for the NATO summit in Lithuania, the president said that Sweden’s membership would depend on fulfilling the agreements reached at last summer’s summit and that Turkey should not be expected to make concessions.
He said that once the war between Ukraine and Russia ends, the process of Ukraine joining NATO would be easier.
Erdogan said he plans to negotiate with Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend an agreement to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea, which expires on Wednesday. Putin also said he expects to visit Turkey in August.
A spokesman for the European Commission said NATO and EU enlargement were “separate processes”. “The admission process for each applicant country is based on its own merits,” he said, adding that the two processes could not be combined.
Asked about Erdogan’s comments, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said he supported Turkey’s EU membership but said Sweden had already met the necessary conditions for NATO membership. “It is still possible to make positive decisions about Sweden,” he said at a NATO summit.
The White House said it has always supported Turkey’s EU membership and will continue to do so, adding: “Our focus is Sweden. Sweden is ready to join NATO.”
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