Erdogan said the deal Turkey reached with Sweden and Finland in exchange for support for their NATO membership was a diplomatic victory for Turkey, but that Finland and Sweden must first fulfill their promises, including a promise to fight terrorism.
The memorandum signed by Finland, Sweden and Turkey on Wednesday states that Finland and Sweden undertake to quickly and thoroughly consider Turkey’s requests for the deportation or extradition of terrorism suspects.
Finland and Sweden have also agreed to lift the embargo on arms supplies to Turkey, which was imposed in 2019,
when Turkey launched an armed operation against the Syrian Kurds.
CONTEXT:
Finland and Sweden refrained from joining NATO for a long time. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine radically changed the security situation in Europe, and in both countries politicians and the public quickly support grew for NATO membership.
On May 18, both Finland and Sweden submitted applications for NATO membership.
Both the NATO leadership and many NATO member states have spoken positively about the upcoming expansion of the alliance, but Turkey’s statement that it does not support these countries joining NATO caused concern. However, on the eve of the NATO summit, Turkey expressed support the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO.
Accordingly, a day later – on June 29 – Sweden and Finland received NATO’s invitation to join the alliance.
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