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Added on the 10/07/2023 16:11:09 - Copyright : France 24 EN
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg calls on Ankara to drop its opposition to Sweden's bid to join the defence alliance, saying Stockholm has addressed Turkey's security concerns and "fulfilled its obligations". Turkey has dragged its feet over admitting Sweden into the alliance, with President Erdogan accusing the country of being a haven for "terrorists", especially members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), a group blacklisted by Ankara and its Western allies. Stoltenberg explains that Sweden has progressed in "stepping up counter-terrorism cooperation, including against the PKK." 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
Turkey signs a memorandum with Finland and Sweden supporting the invitation for the two Nordic countries to become members of NATO. IMAGES
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan receives NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg for talks in Istanbul. The trip comes as pressure builds on Erdogan to drop his opposition to Sweden joining NATO. Stoltenberg on Thursday said he would soon visit Ankara to work towards Sweden joining "as early as possible". IMAGES
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says he would visit Ankara "in the near future" to push Sweden's membership bid, following the re-election of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Exactly when is not yet decided," the US-led defence alliance's Secretary General adds. SOUNDBITE
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, asks the country's parliament to vote on Finland's application to joint the NATO defence alliance, saying "I wish that this decision will be good for our countries and our alliance". Erdogan's announcement comes as Finnish President, Sauli Niinistö, visits Ankara. SOUNDBITE
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