Recep Tayyip Erdogan Raises Concerns About PKK in Sweden and F16 Planes Approval Linked to Sweden’s NATO Membership
Vilnius, Lithuania – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed his concerns over the presence of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in Sweden, stating that it hinders the progress of Sweden’s approval by Turkey. The comments were made during a recent conversation with US President Joe Biden, according to the Turkish presidential office.
Erdogan reportedly emphasized that despite the positive steps taken by Sweden towards gaining Turkey’s approval, the continuous operation of the PKK in Sweden undermines these efforts. The PKK, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, has been involved in a long-standing conflict with the Turkish government.
Furthermore, Erdogan also conveyed his disapproval to President Biden regarding linking the purchase of F16 planes with Sweden’s NATO application. The Turkish President argued that it is not appropriate to connect these two issues, emphasizing the need for an objective evaluation of Sweden’s NATO membership based on its own merits.
In light of these developments, it has been announced that President Biden and Erdogan will meet during the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius, commencing on Tuesday. The AFP news agency reported that discussions between the two leaders will primarily focus on Ukraine’s position within NATO, Sweden’s NATO membership, and the delivery of F16 planes.
To address the concerns raised by Erdogan, an extraordinary meeting will be held on Monday in Vilnius, led by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. This meeting will bring together Erdogan and Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, aiming to find common ground and address the challenges surrounding Sweden’s NATO aspiration.
As the NATO summit unfolds, HBL, a leading news agency, will be present on-site in Vilnius to provide comprehensive coverage of the discussions and outcomes. The summit is expected to shed light on crucial matters in the international arena, including the status of Ukraine, the potential expansion of Sweden’s NATO membership, and the complex issue of arms procurement.
The outcomes of these meetings and the level of consensus reached among the leaders will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future trajectory of Sweden’s NATO aspirations. As the international community watches closely, it remains to be seen how these discussions will shape the course of regional security and cooperation.