Sweden fully supports Türkiye against all threats to its national security: Swedish foreign minister

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) - Sweden condemns all terrorist organizations, including the PKK, said Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, adding his country "fully supports" Türkiye against all threats to its security.

Speaking at a joint news conference with British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in Gotland, Billstrom noted that Sweden’s new anti-terror law will facilitate their cooperation with Türkiye as well as with other NATO and EU countries.

"Sweden fully supports Türkiye against all threats to its national security and condemns all the terrorist organizations, including the PKK, which carry out attacks against it," he noted.

Billstrom went on to say that Sweden stands ready to be an "active and loyal ally," and to contribute to the security of NATO from day one.

Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership soon after Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022. Although Türkiye approved Finland's membership to NATO, it is waiting for Sweden to abide by a trilateral memorandum signed last June in Madrid to address Ankara's security concerns.

Several NATO allies, including the US, hope Türkiye will approve Sweden's accession process ahead of a summit in Lithuania's capital Vilnius set for July 11-12.

Sweden passed an anti-terror law in November hoping Ankara would approve its bid to join NATO. The new law, effective June 1, allows authorities to prosecute individuals who support terror groups.