Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg issues related to Sweden and Finland's entry into the alliance.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed, on Saturday, in a telephone conversation with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersen, issues related to her country's application to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
The Turkish Presidency Communication Department said in a statement that President Erdogan reiterated during the call the need for Sweden to take steps on basic issues of importance to Turkey, such as the fight against terrorism.
He indicated that Sweden must make a tangible change in its stance against the terrorist organization PKK/PYD/YPG.
He stated that Turkey did not see any openness from Sweden that would dispel Turkey's concerns in this regard.
He stressed that Turkey is looking forward to Stockholm lifting the arms embargo on Ankara and the legal and de facto restrictions on the defense industry sector, as well as meeting requests for extradition and deportation.
He stressed that his country would like to see binding commitments on all these issues through concrete and clear measures.
Erdogan discussed, in a separate call, with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, issues related to Sweden and Finland's application to join the alliance.
He stressed the need for Sweden and Finland to pledge to lift the ban and similar restrictions imposed on supplying Turkey with defense industry products, and not to resort to these means again in the future.
Erdogan has previously stressed that his country's approval of Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO depends on the extent to which the two countries take into account Ankara's security concerns.