With the advancement of NATO membership, Sweden and Turkey commit to long-term cooperation in anti-terrorism work, which will continue after Sweden joins NATO.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg announced late on Monday evening that Turkey had promised to complete Sweden’s NATO membership as soon as possible. According to Stoltenberg, the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has promised to take the matter to the Turkish Parliament.
According to Stoltenberg, he had a constructive meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister by Ulf Kristersson and with Erdogan. Stoltenberg said that the completion of Sweden’s membership application is a “historic step”.
He also said that today it was decided to establish a new bilateral security agreement. According to him, NATO intends to intensify the fight against terrorism.
Stoltenberg did not give an exact timetable for when Turkey will complete the ratification process.
Sweden and Turkey commit to work against terrorism
According to the press release published by NATO, Sweden and Turkey commit to long-term cooperation in counter-terrorism work, which will continue after Sweden joins NATO. In addition to this, a special coordinator for the fight against terrorism will be established in NATO.
At the same time, Sweden undertakes not to provide support to the People’s Protection Unit (YPG) operating in Syria and to the PYD, the main party of the Syrian Kurds.
As part of the NATO process, Sweden has changed its laws, expanded counter-terrorism cooperation against the PKK, and restarted arms exports to Turkey.
Sweden and Turkey also committed to increasing economic cooperation, and Sweden will actively support efforts to restart negotiations on Turkey’s EU membership.
NATO membership secures the security of Sweden and NATO
Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that he was happy about the progress of the membership. A big stone moved from the NATO road, Kristersson described.
– This was a good day for Sweden.
Kristersson admitted that it would be better if Sweden was already a member, but was nevertheless happy that the agreement was reached before the meeting in Vilnius.
Swedish Minister of Defense Paul Jonson rejoiced at the progress of NATO membership. According to him, the decision secures the security of both Sweden and NATO.
Prime Minister of Finland Petteri Orpo said that he was satisfied that a common understanding had been found. Orpo also said that the progress of Sweden’s NATO membership is great news for the security of the Nordic region and the whole of Europe.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö pointed out that Finland’s NATO membership is not complete before Sweden joins.