NATO boss-General Jens Stoltenberg met with the Prime Minister of Finland and spoke with the Turkish President to overcome Turkey’s resistance to Finland and Sweden joining the Alliance.
Stoltenberg, who visited Washington this week. Tweeted late Friday that he had met Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and “discussed the need to address Turkey’s concerns. And move forward” with Finland also Sweden’s accession offers.
NATO boss Russia’s war in Ukraine has prompted Scandinavian countries to apply for NATO membership.
Still, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accuse Sweden and Finland of supporting Kurdish extremists, whom Turkey views as terrorists.
Stoltenberg said he had “constructive phone talks” with Erdogan, calling Turkey a “valuable ally”. And praising Turkey’s efforts to broker a deal to ensure the safe transport of grain from Ukraine amid the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of addressing global food shortages. Stoltenberg tweeted that he also Erdogan would continue their dialogue without providing details.
Erdogan’s office issued a statement saying the President had stressed that Sweden also Finland “must make it clear. That they no longer support terrorism,” lift restrictions on arms exports to Turkey, also “should be ready to show solidarity with… Unity”.