Speaking at a press conference at the inaugural summit of the European Political Community, Turkey said it would look favorably on Sweden as long as “terrorist organizations” demonstrated in its streets and inside its parliament.
Erdogan said Turkey has greater relations with Finland because “it is a country where terrorists roam freely. “
TURKEY INVITES GREEK AMBASSADOR TO PROTEST DEPLOYMENT OF ARMOURED VEHICLES ON DEMILITARISED GREEK ISLANDS
“NATO will have to make an eventual resolution, and if they make a resolution in favor of Finland, of course we will,” Erdogan said.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Helsinki is in favor of joining the alliance at the same time as Sweden.
“From our point of view, it would be very important for Finland and Sweden to join NATO because we are in northern Europe or in the same geopolitical security position,” he said. “But of course. ” We will continue the discussion and it is now up to Turkey and Hungary to make the ratification decisions. “
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Erdogan’s comments came after Sweden announced it would lift the arms embargo it imposed on Turkey in 2019, following an operation by the Turkish army against the Kurdish defense force YPG in Syria. The move was widely recognized as a step toward securing Ankara’s approval for NATO membership.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Bradford Betz is a Fox News Digital reporter covering crime, political issues and more.