UPDATE - Sweden is taking Türkiye's concerns 'very seriously,' premier says

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS; EDITS THROUGHOUT

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 the entire NATO, including Türkiye.

Stoltenberg, for his part, said: “It is clear that Sweden's and Finland's memberships in NATO would boost transatlantic security. It will enable closer Nordic and closer Baltic defense cooperation and will strengthen the alliance's presence in the High North.”

He stressed that the 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 among 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 said they remained in close dialogue with officials from all three countries to address the Turkish concerns swiftly and move forward with Swedish and Finnish accessions.

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

“I welcome that Sweden has already started to change its counterterrorism legislation, and that Sweden will ensure that the legal framework for arms export will reflect their future status as a NATO member with new commitments to allies,” he added.

The Swedish premier said they have much stronger legislation in the fight against terrorism than they had before. “We have a much stricter regulation when it comes to financing of terrorism.”

Sweden will recognize the security challenges of the alliance and be an active and constructive member, Andersson added.

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.