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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