UPDATES WITH REMARKS BY SWEDEN'S FOREIGN MINISTER
By Beyza Binnur Donmez and Burak Bir
GENEVA/LONDON (AA) — Sweden's legislative changes in line with a memorandum signed in Madrid last year should be reflected in practice, Türkiye's foreign minister said on Thursday.
Addressing a news conference after the fifth meeting of a permanent joint mechanism between Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden in the Belgian capital Brussels, Hakan Fidan said "it is imperative that countries wishing to join NATO take firm stand on fight against terrorism."
"Sweden has taken steps in terms of legislative changes, but legislative changes need to be reflected in practice."
Sweden could not prevent provocations, which affects Ankara's stance, he said, referring to the recent desecration of the Quran in Stockholm.
He, however, added that Türkiye fully supports the military alliance's open-door policy.
For his part, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said progress was made during the meeting and his country expects "a positive decision next week."
Touching on the conviction by Swedish authorities of a sympathizer of the PKK terrorist organization — a first in the Nordic nation — Billstrom said this was a "historic decision."
The 40-year-old person, who was found guilty for firearms offenses and attempted terror financing, Billstrom they would be deported after serving a prison sentence of over four years.
He added that this showed Sweden took concerns about the PKK seriously.
In its more than 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK — listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, UK, and EU — has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants.
The meeting came ahead of the NATO leaders summit in Vilnius, Lithuania on July 11-12.
Earlier, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said he, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson would hold talks in Vilnius on Monday — eve of the summit — "as the next step in this process."
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership soon after Russia launched a war in Ukraine last February.
Although Türkiye approved Finland's membership, it has not ratified Sweden's bid, saying Stockholm has yet to address its security concerns.