Sweden is taking Türkiye's concerns 'very seriously,' PM says

By Rabia Iclal Turan and Gozde Bayar

ISTANBUL / ANKARA (AA) – Stockholm is taking Türkiye's concerns about Sweden and Finland's applications to join NATO "very seriously," the Swedish prime minister said on Monday.

Speaking at a joint news conference with visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Magdalena Andersson said both Sweden and Finland will be security providers for the region and for entire NATO, including Türkiye.

Stoltenberg, for his part, stressed that security concerns of all NATO allies should be addressed.

The NATO chief said Andersson confirmed the Swedish government's readiness to address Türkiye's concerns.

When asked about the talks between Sweden, Finland, Türkiye, and NATO, Stoltenberg said: "I don't think it would be helpful if I go into the details of those talks".

He, however, added: "They indicate that Sweden and Finland are ready to in a concrete way address concerns related to terrorism."

Russia's war on Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to formally apply to join NATO on May 18.

But Türkiye, a longstanding member of the alliance, has voiced objections to their membership bids, criticizing the countries for tolerating and even supporting terrorist groups such as the YPG/PKK, as well as for weapons embargos against Türkiye.

The PKK, listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the EU, and the US, is responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the Syrian branch of the terrorist group PKK.