Sweden’s NATO bid not possible at Vilnius Summit

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has made clear once again that NATO-aspirant Sweden has to take concrete steps to join the alliance and stop the activities of the terrorists in the streets of Stockholm, underlining that the Nordic country will unlikely be admitted to NATO at the alliance’s key summit in Vilnius in July.

Speaking to reporters on his way back from Baku, Erdoğan said Türkiye will not be positive for Sweden joining the alliance at the summit to take place on July 11 and 12.

“I will attend the summit [in Vilnius] if nothing extraordinary happens. The fact that Sweden has some expectations [for the membership] does not mean that we will fulfill these expectations. First of all, Sweden has to fulfill its duties so that we meet its expectations [for joining the alliance],” Erdoğan said.

The NATO allies, except for Türkiye and Hungary, have already ratified Sweden’s application to join the alliance and press on these two countries to approve its bid before the Vilnius Summit so that the alliance can give a picture of unity with its 32 members.

Erdoğan recalled his meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on June 4 in Istanbul. “While Stoltenberg was expressing [his views about Sweden’s process], unfortunately the terrorists were rallying in the streets in Sweden. Later, Mr. İbrahim [Kalın, the head of the Turkish National Intelligence Service] has sent the footage of this demonstration to his [Swedish] counterpart,” Erdoğan stated.

There is no reason for Türkiye to green light Sweden’s bid to join the alliance under these conditions, the president stated, adding amendments on the constitution or in the laws are not enough to pursue an effective fight against terror. “What does law enforcement serve for? What they must do is to stop the [terrorist] activities,” he stated.

Putting pressure on Türkiye for Sweden’s bid under these conditions is not right, Erdoğan stressed, “[Sweden] won’t use its rights [regarding fighting against terror], and then you will tell us ‘Approve Sweden.’ Then, how about NATO’s mission to fight against terror? NATO should first tackle this.”

Türkiye will not give its green light to Sweden at the Vilnius Summit and this message was given to the Swedish, Finnish and NATO officials who held the fourth joint mechanism meeting in Ankara on June 14, Erdoğan said.