Jakarta –
Presiden Turki Recep Tayyip Erdogan support Sweden and Finland join NATO. The decision was taken following critical talks with the leaders of the two Nordic countries in Madrid.
Erdogan previously vehemently refused to give Sweden and Finland the green light to join NATO despite calls from his NATO allies to pave the way for them to enter. Turkey basically has to use its veto power over Finland and Sweden going to join NATO. Because all members must agree to accept new members.
But late Tuesday evening, Erdogan’s office said it had agreed to support their wish to join, saying Ankara had “got what it wanted”.
“Turkey has made significant gains in the fight against terrorist organizations,” the office said ahead of a NATO summit in Madrid.
The Finnish presidency said Turkey signed a memorandum with Finland and Sweden supporting the invitation for Nordic countries to become NATO members. NATO allies including Britain praised the agreement.
Erdogan Meets Biden
As previously reported, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will meet with US President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain which will be held to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“We spoke with Mr. Biden this morning and he expressed his desire to gather tonight or tomorrow. We said it was possible,” Erdogan said.
The two leaders have had chilly relations since Biden’s presidency because of US concerns about human rights under Erdogan.
Analysts believe the two leaders’ meeting could play an important role in lifting Erdogan’s rejection of Finland and Sweden’s bid to become NATO members.
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