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Added on the 13/10/2022 11:44:36 - Copyright : Euronews EN
During a press conference in Madrid, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg declares that an agreement has been reached that "paves the way for the way for Finland and Sweden to join Nato". He declares that "Turkey Finland Sweden have signed a memorandum that addresses Turkey's c concerns including about arms exports and the fight against terrorism." SOUNDBITE
At a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says that the aim is "to welcome Finland and Sweden as full members as soon as possible", after the two Nordic countries' bids to join the organisation were stalled by objections raised by Turkey. Ankara accuses them of providing a safe haven for the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), listed as a "terrorist" group by Turkey and its Western allies. SOUNDBITE
Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson says the "northern flank of NATO is more complete" as he holds a press conference with his Norwegian and Finnish counterparts in Troms, Norway. Swedish troops are taking part in a vast NATO military exercise to simulate repelling an invasion of neighbouring Norway. SOUNDBITE
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says Turkey should approve Sweden's stalled bid for membership "as soon as possible". "Sweden has delivered on what they promised and now the time has come for Turkiye to finalise the accession process," Stoltenberg tells a press conference in Brussels. Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO members to not yet have ratified Sweden joining the alliance over 18 months after it applied for membership. SOUNDBITE
The United States welcomes Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's submission to parliament of Sweden's NATO membership and hopes for approval as soon as possible. "We welcome that step," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller tells reporters, voicing hope that the bill "will be considered in the Turkish parliament and passed as soon as possible." SOUNDBITE
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcome Turkey's decision to push ahead with ratifying Finland's membership, and says Sweden should also be allowed to join as soon as possible. "The most important thing is that both Finland and Sweden become full members of NATO quickly, not whether they join at exactly the same time," Stoltenberg said. SOUNDBITE
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