World - Europe
Updated: January 31, 2023

Turkey Supporting NATO’s Enlargement Amid Finland-Sweden Bid

By Quadri Adejumo
January 31, 2023
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Turkey’s Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalın has declared that the country supports NATO enlargement in principle.

Speaking on Tuesday, Kalın said; "We've told them that there are necessary steps to be taken.

"Sweden is rewriting its constitution and told us they need time until June.”

Kalın also said Turkey respects Finland and Sweden's decision to proceed together but if Finland wants to hold a separate process for NATO membership, then it is their decision.

The top presidential aide also added that Turkey is not blocking the membership of both Sweden and Finland.

It should be noted that Turkey suspended NATO talks with Sweden and Finland last week after a protest in Stockholm in which a far-right politician burned a copy of the Quran.

And President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan recently said that Turkey might approve Finland’s NATO membership while withholding approval for the membership of Sweden over ongoing tensions.