Sweden’s first statement to Turkey’s decision on Finland

Swedish Foreign Minister Billström assessed Turkey’s decision to start the approval process by presenting the protocol on Finland’s NATO membership to the Presidency of the Turkish Grand National Assembly at his press conference.

Regarding the start of the approval process in Turkey for Finland’s membership of the two countries that applied for NATO membership on the same day, Billström said: “As we predicted, Turkey started the process to approve Finland’s membership in NATO. . This is a development we did not want, but we are prepared.” he used the phrases.

“That Sweden is out of NATO DOES NOT CHANGE ANYTHING”

Billström stated that Finland becoming a NATO member before Sweden would not affect them much in the short term, saying: “We wanted to be a NATO member together with Finland. The exclusion of Sweden from NATO does not change anything in the short term. But it is also true that if this process continues, many things will change. Finland will become more integrated into NATO, while Sweden will remain on the sidelines.” he said.

Billström added that the Tripartite Memorandum agreement between Sweden and Turkey on NATO membership continues.

WHAT HAPPENED?

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, at the joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, said: “We decided to start the approval process of Finland’s NATO accession protocol in our Parliament, based on the sensitivity and the progress achieved. for our country in addressing security concerns. ” had used the words.

Finland’s Protocol of Accession to NATO was presented to the Presidency of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. (AA)