Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), acknowledged that Turkey is hindering efforts to join the alliance between Finland and Sweden and said he would visit Ankara to discuss the issue.
“This is not a NATO decision. This is Turkey’s decision,” Stoltenberg told reporters after chairing the meeting of NATO defense ministers, stressing his conviction that both countries have fulfilled their obligations to NATO, and Turkey should be allowed to join.
Stoltenberg, who is scheduled to travel to Ankara to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, added that “consistency is not the most important thing. Most importantly, Finland and Sweden will soon become members of the coalition.” “, which contradicts the position expressed by him. For several months now, it has been important that they unite.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson said it would be “unfortunate” for Finland to be the first to join NATO.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin declined to comment, but said “NATO” had conducted exercises with both candidate countries and praised their investment in modern military equipment.
Source: “AB”