Erdogan Says No Progress On Sweden, Finland NATO Bids

Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has declared there is no progress on the NATO bids of Sweden and Finland.

The Turkish president reiterated that Turkey expects tangible initiatives and binding commitments from the Nordic countries seeking to join NATO.

This comes ahead of the alliance's upcoming summit where the issue is expected to be a central theme.

The Daily Sabah on Sunday reports NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg in a phone call with Erdoğan, as Erdogan said Turkey still expects to see Sweden and Finland change their stance regarding the PKK terrorist organization.

Added is that the two countries should also guarantee that they will lift the arms embargo and promise not to resort to similar tactics in the future.

Erdoğan underlined that Sweden should take steps regarding such fundamental matters as combatting terrorism, adding that Turkey wants to see binding commitments on these issues together with concrete and clear action.

Finland and Sweden formally apply to join NATO on May 18.

But Turkey, a longstanding member of the alliance, has voiced objections to their membership bids, criticising the countries for tolerating and supporting terrorist groups.

Any bid to join NATO requires unanimous backing from each of its 30 members.