NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Sunday 12 June during a visit to Finland that the Alliance is working hard with Sweden, Finland and Turkey to break the deadlock in the process of the two Nordic countries joining NATO.
“We are working hard with our NATO ally Turkey, as well as with Finland and Sweden, to resolve the issues raised by Turkey. And these are legitimate concerns. It is a matter of terrorism and arms exports”, he stressed at a press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. “When a key ally like Turkey raises a concern such as terrorism, it goes without saying that we must sit down and take it seriously. And that is exactly what we are doing”, Stoltenberg added, noting that the PKK was considered a terrorist organisation by NATO Allies and the EU.
On Monday 13 June in Stockholm, the Secretary General welcomed Sweden’s efforts to address Turkish concerns. “I welcome the fact that Sweden has already started to amend its anti-terrorism legislation and is ensuring that its legal framework for arms exports reflects its future NATO membership, with new commitments to the Allies. These are two important steps to address the concerns raised by Turkey”, he said.
Asked about the possibility of finding a solution by the Madrid summit, Mr Stoltenberg explained that the summit, which takes place from 28 to 30 June, had “never been a deadline”. “At the same time, I would like this issue to be resolved as soon as possible”, he conceded.
Mr Stoltenberg also said that the accession of Helsinki and Stockholm would strengthen transatlantic security, enable closer defence cooperation between the Nordic and Baltic countries and enhance the Alliance’s presence in the High North. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)