US statement to Turkey, Finland, Sweden and NATO

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken held a press conference with his Italian counterpart Antonio Tajani in Washington.

Asked how Sweden’s extradition to Turkey of a person who declared links to the PKK terrorist organization would affect the NATO membership process, Blinken said: “The Finnish and Swedish membership processes have developed very, very quickly, from a historical perspective”. he performed the assessment of it.

“Türkiye CAN EXPRESS ITS CONCERNS”

Blinken stated that it is appropriate that this process be swift given the fact that the two countries are long-term NATO partners, their EU membership and Russia’s threat to European security, continuing as follows:

“However, within the framework of this process, it is appropriate that all NATO member countries express their concerns and problems. This is particularly important in terms of NATO Article 5. Being a member of NATO means that other members support those who are attacked under Article 5. In the framework of this process, Turkey was able to raise some concerns about the membership of Finland and Sweden.”

Noting that both countries have taken the necessary steps to address Turkey’s concerns, Blinken said: “Other NATO allies and the United States are now of the opinion that Sweden should be officially included in NATO. Our expectation is that this can happen at the NATO Summit in July.” he said.

MEETING BETWEEN Türkiye, SWEDEN AND NATO

Blinken shared the information that a meeting between Turkey, Sweden and NATO will be held again this week.

Italian Foreign Minister Tajani also stated that Italy supports Sweden’s NATO membership, saying: “Our goal is to achieve this at the NATO Vilnius Summit next month.” he said.

Regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership, Tajani noted that a NATO-Ukraine Council could be established first. AA