Sweden wants 'good relations' with Türkiye: Defense minister

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

GENEVA (AA) - Sweden wants "good relations" with Türkiye when they complete their NATO accession, the country's defense minister said on Wednesday.

Pal Jonson's remarks came during a Warsaw Security Forum in Poland session.

"Turkey is an important ally. We want good relations with Turkey when we become members," Jonson said. "What I think is important right now is for us to get in as soon as possible. That's, of course, important for us because we wouldn't be covered by Article Five and NATO's common defense planning."

Regarding what his country can offer to the alliance, he pointed out the importance of Sweden's geographical location and said that they have strong capabilities above and below the Baltic Sea.

He added: "We have good expertise in the Arctic region, where it's one thing to be able to survive in the Arctic region, another thing to fight, and we have lots of experience in operating in the Arctic region."