Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden sign agreement paving the way for Finnish and Swedish NATO membership

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28 June 2022

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Türkiye, President Sauli Niinistö of Finland and Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson of Sweden met in Madrid on Tuesday, 28 June 2022, under the auspices of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In that meeting, the leaders agreed a trilateral memorandum to address Türkiye’s legitimate security concerns, Including around arms exports and the fight against terrorism, paving the way for Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership. The memorandum was signed by the foreign ministers of the three countries – Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu of Türkiye, Pekka Haavisto of Finland, and Ann Linde of Sweden – in the presence of all three national leaders, and the Secretary General.

“I strongly welcome the signing of this trilateral memorandum, and I strongly welcome the constructive approach all three countries have shown during the negotiations. Finnish and Swedish membership of NATO is good for Finland and Sweden, it is good for NATO, and it is good for European security,” said Secretary General Stoltenberg.

“No Ally has suffered more brutal terrorist attacks than Türkiye, including from the terrorist group PKK,” added Mr. Stoltenberg. The governments of Türkiye, Finland and Sweden have agreed to enhance their cooperation on counter-terrorism. As NATO Allies, Finland and Sweden commit to fully support Türkiye against threats to its national security. This includes further amending their domestic legislation. Cracking down on PKK activities. And entering into an agreement with Türkiye on extradition.”

In light of the progress, Türkiye has agreed to support Finland and Sweden joining NATO.

“NATO’s Open Door Policy has been a historic success,” underlined Secretary General. “Welcoming Finland and Sweden into the Alliance will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure. This is vital as we face the biggest security crisis in decades.”

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