Erdogan's Condition for Supporting Sweden's NATO Membership: End Protests Against Turkey

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President of Turkey, stated on Wednesday, June 14, before a meeting of Turkish, Swedish, Finnish, and NATO officials in Ankara, that "Sweden should not expect a change in Ankara's attitude regarding NATO membership at next month's NATO summit unless it prevents anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm." According to Reuters, he had mentioned on Tuesday upon returning from his trip to Azerbaijan that under conditions where "terrorists" are protesting in Stockholm, Turkey cannot respond positively to Sweden's NATO membership proposal. He added that "Turkey will clarify its position again during talks with Swedish officials in Ankara on Wednesday." Turkey approved Finland's NATO membership proposal last March but continues to oppose Sweden's accession, thus delaying Sweden's NATO membership. The main goal of the talks on Wednesday in Ankara is reported to be securing Turkey's approval. Ankara has accused Sweden of harboring members of Kurdish militant groups that it considers "terrorists." However, Sweden claims it has adhered to the part of the agreement with Turkey aimed at addressing Ankara's security concerns and follows national and international laws on the extradition of criminals. Tensions between Ankara and Stockholm escalated last month following protests against Turkey and NATO in Stockholm, where the flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which is deemed illegal in Turkey and the EU, was raised. Erdogan stated that a similar protest took place in Stockholm on the day he spoke with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at the end of May. He added that he had also told Stoltenberg that Sweden must prevent such actions to guarantee Turkey's consent for NATO membership. Stoltenberg also mentioned after his meeting with Erdogan that an agreement on Sweden's NATO membership might be reached before the NATO summit next month in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. The U.S. Secretary of State urged Turkey to end its opposition to Sweden's NATO membership. Finland's accession to NATO was welcomed, and efforts for Sweden's membership continue despite Turkey's opposition. Sweden will "soon" hold talks with Turkey regarding its NATO membership. The U.S. supports Sweden's request for NATO membership. Reactions to Finland's NATO accession; Blinken stated that Finland is stronger and safer within this alliance. Finland has joined NATO, and Turkey supported Finland's membership proposal while withholding support for Sweden's membership.