Cavusoglu: Türkiye expects concrete steps from Sweden, Finland

Türkiye is not going to make any concessions on issues concerning the security of the state and its citizens. This is the prism through which we approach the Swedish and Finnish NATO membership applications.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made the remark on Friday while addressing ruling Justice and Development Party officials in Malatya province, Anadolu Agency reports.

He stressed that the two Scandinavian countries should concrete steps to meet Türkiye's demands. "Ankara is not demanding something impossible from Stockholm and Helsinki. We only want an end to support for terrorists and a ban on any activities of supporters of these bloody structures in Scandinavian countries," Cavusoglu clarified.

According to him, financial and military assistance to organizations that threaten the security of a future NATO ally contradicts the spirit and principles of the military-political bloc. "If Sweden and Finland want to become NATO allies of Türkiye, they should not perceive our country as an enemy. It is unacceptable to impose an embargo against Türkiye because of the fight against terrorism. If these countries insist on maintaining restrictions, they will not be accepted into NATO," the top diplomat stressed.

He noted that Türkiye is not demanding something difficult, as Greece did in its time by insisting on changing the name of the state of Macedonia. "Because of Athens' whims, Macedonia had to wait at the door to NATO for 12 years. Today, the Greek side is also causing problems for Skopje's accession to the EU. And no one criticizes Greece, demanding that the principle of solidarity be taken into account," Cavusoglu said.

The minister reiterated that Türkiye expects Helsinki and Stockholm to take concrete steps, not to make empty statements.