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Added on the 26/02/2024 19:34:06 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
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
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson is welcomed to Ankara by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara, as Kristersson makes a bid to persuade Turkey to drop its opposition to Sweden joining NATO. After Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden and Finland abandoned their long-held policy of non-alignment and applied to join the military alliance. But Turkey has stalled ratification of their bids, accusing them of harbouring outlawed Kurdish militants. IMAGES
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto meets with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson in Stockholm, as the two Nordic neighbours prepare a bid for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance. Both nations, which have traditionally remained non-aligned in military matters, have reconsidered their positions on the US-led defence grouping after Russia's invasion of Ukraine. IMAGES
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he expects European allies to keep up strong support for NATO despite a far-right victory in the first round of French elections. SOUNDBITE
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says that he expects the United States to remain a key ally in NATO "regardless of the outcome" of the presidential election ahead of a debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. "I expect that regardless of the outcome of the US elections, the US will remain a strong NATO ally because that is in the security interest of the United States. A strong NATO is good for Europe, but also good for the United States," Stoltenberg says in an interview filmed by NATO for AFP. SOUNDBITE
Supporters of Zambian President Lungu hold a rally in Lusaka during a tense presidential race, which has been marked by clashes between rival supporters. The presidential election will take place on Thursday. IMAGES.
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