Published November 24,2023
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The head of the Turkish parliament‘s National Defense Committee has obtained Sweden‘s ambassador to the nation, following the postponement of a protocol for Stockholm’s NATO accession bid within the parliament.
“We don’t oppose Sweden’s NATO membership, but we have to protect the rights and interests of our country, ensure the security of our country,” Hulusi Akar, who has served as chief of General Staff for the Turkish navy and nationwide protection minister, informed Malena Mard on Thursday.
Underlining that Türkiye wouldn’t enable Sweden to hitch NATO till it fulfills the phrases of a 2022 settlement to deal with Ankara’s safety issues, Akar stated: “There were some terrorist activities such as burnings of the Quran (in Sweden). Preventing these, fulfilling the commitments there, and (lifting) restrictions on export licenses. These are the essence of the memorandum.”
On Thursday the Turkish parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee postponed consideration of a measure approving Sweden’s NATO accession protocol.
To be part of the alliance, which Sweden wanted Russia attacked close by Ukraine, Stockholm has to have the approval of all present NATO members, together with Türkiye, a NATO member for over 70 years.
“We’ve said this every time we’ve spoken to our counterparts. The ball is now in their court. We expressed to them that we have no problem with Sweden within the framework of the measures they will take. We will continue the meeting in this way,” he stated, including:
“It is unacceptable to support and host terrorists who shoot at us, and protect them. We have a responsibility towards our 85 million people. We need to convince both the parliament and our 85 million citizens.”
For her half, Mard emphasised that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had “very good communication” on the matter.
“I know there has been a lot of communication on the highest level between President Erdoğan and my Prime Minister Kristersson. So, I think there is a very good communication on the highest level,” she stated.
Noting that Sweden has remained a impartial nation for 200 years, she stated it now wished to turn into a NATO member as quickly as potential.
Source: www.anews.com.tr
