According to Erdogan, Turkey expects “serious steps” from Sweden

Addressing the leaders of Sweden and Finland on Saturday. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called on Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson to take “concrete and serious steps” to address Turkey’s fear of terrorist organizations. At the same time, the three countries work to reach an agreement to win Turkey over. Support for Finland and Sweden NATO application approval.

Erdogan told Anderson by telephone that Sweden must end its financial, political. Also armed support to groups Turkey considers terrorist organizations, according to a statement by the Turkish presidency.

Erdogan also said that Sweden’s restrictions on Turkey’s defense industry should be lifted after the 2019 invasion of Syria.

In a tweet after the phone call, Anderson said that Sweden was looking forward to “strengthening our bilateral relationship, including in peace, security, and the fight against terrorism.”

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said he also spoke with Erdogan in an “honest and direct phone call” on Saturday, stressing that Finland condemns terrorism in all its forms.

Niinisto said he had told Erdogan that Finnish-Turkish relations would grow stronger. If they made mutual security commitments, adding that “close dialogue” would continue.

Finland and Sweden on Wednesday submitted their official applications to join NATO after conducting security checks following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Erdogan said he opposed their membership last week because they allegedly supported the Kurdish Workers’ Party. A group Turkey considers a terrorist organization.

Along with other Western countries, Finland and Sweden have supported the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, another group Turkey has labeled terrorists. On Thursday, Erdogan made his strongest statement against the two countries. Saying Turkey had told its allies “we will say no” to the Finnish and Swedish proposals. Turkey alone can keep Finland also Sweden out of the alliances. As all 30 NATO members must unanimously recognize the new nation. The three countries have held talks over the past few days to reach a deal.