Turkey's Erdogan , Says He Doesn't Support Sweden, Finland , Joining NATO.
Turkey's Erdogan , Says He Doesn't Support Sweden, Finland , Joining NATO.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan made the statements on May 13.
We are following the developments regarding Sweden and Finland, but we don't hold positive views, Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, via Reuters.
As Turkey, we don't want to repeat similar mistakes.
, Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, via Reuters.
Erdogan also based Turkey's stance on accusations that the countries are host to "terrorist organizations.".
Furthermore, Scandinavian countries are guesthouses for terrorist organizations, Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, via Reuters.
They are even members of the parliament in some countries.
It is not possible for us to be in favor, Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, via Reuters.
The organizations Erdogan refers to include the PKK and Gulenists, .
Which he accuses of playing a role in a 2016 coup attempt.
Analysts say that it will take a great effort to persuade Erdogan to see things differently.
Turkish national security elites view Finland and Sweden as semi-hostile, given the presence of PKK and Gulenists.
, Aaron Stein, Foreign Policy Research Institute, via Twitter.
It's gonna take arm twisting to get sign off, Aaron Stein, Foreign Policy Research Institute, via Twitter.
Erdogan's statements come a day after Finland declared plans to apply for NATO membership.
Erdogan's statements come a day after Finland declared plans to apply for NATO membership.
Sweden has not announced its plans, but the nation is expected to follow suit.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that Finland's accession into NATO would be "smooth and swift."
