Türkiye, Finland, Sweden agree on long-term value of permanent joint mechanism: NATO

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - NATO said on Thursday that Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden have agreed "on the long-term value of the permanent joint mechanism in fighting terrorism and will continue to cooperate in this format."

The three countries also agreed to meet again before the Vilnius Summit in July, according to a statement.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said "Finland and Sweden have taken unprecedented steps to address legitimate Turkish security concerns. It is now time for all Allies to conclude the ratification process and welcome Finland and Sweden as full members of the Alliance ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit in Vilnius."

During the meeting, representatives from three countries discussed the concrete steps taken to implement the trilateral memorandum, which was signed last June.

"As agreed in the Memorandum, there are no arms export restrictions between them; they have significantly enhanced counter-terrorism cooperation; and Sweden is now in the process of tightening anti-terrorism legislation, including against the PKK. All participants welcomed the progress that has been made," the statement said.

Türkiye and the two Nordic countries signed the memorandum at the NATO summit in Madrid to address Ankara's legitimate security concerns, paving the way for their eventual membership in the alliance.

The memorandum addresses Türkiye's concerns, including arms exports and the fight against terrorism.

Only Hungary and Türkiye have not yet ratified Sweden and Finland's requests for inclusion in the 30-member military alliance.