NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is in Sweden to bring Sweden and Finland closer to NATO membership. “The accession of the two countries is a top priority and we are making progress,” the secretary general said yesterday at a press conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.
The accession of both countries has so far been blocked by Hungary and Turkey. According to Europe correspondent Stefan de Vries, President Erdogan seems to be on the move. ‘Turkey really wants F-35 fighters, but it doesn’t get them because the country bought anti-aircraft guns from Russia a few years ago. It is therefore possible that the United States will now accept, in exchange for Turkey’s support,” says de Vries.
Hungary seems to veer: ‘Yesterday a parliamentary delegation traveled from Hungary to Sweden. The delegation stated that the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland is wholeheartedly supported. Now only the Hungarian parliament has to deal with this issue, but it seems that it has been done’, says the Europe journalist.
“Erdogan wants F-35 fighters in exchange for NATO membership”
Purchase of ammunition
Stoltenberg will also meet all EU ministers today in an informal meeting on European security. De Vries expects concrete decisions here. “I assume that EU ministers will make a decision on a common ammunition fund, which will be ninety per cent financed by Brussels,” says de Vries.
For European countries with large arms industries, this is a financial boost. If the fund comes to fruition, only EU and Norwegian arms manufacturers can benefit from it. France, Germany and Italy are the biggest arms producers in the EU, so they will most likely get the most out of it,’ says the Europe correspondent.
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Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
