In a provocative style, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar continued his threats against Greece and Cyprus.
Speaking to the budget committee of the Turkish Parliament, Akar stressed that Turkey will not allow a fait accompli in Cyprus, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean. However, he stated that his country is open to dialogue.
According to Hulusi Akar, the Turkish armed forces are fighting against all terrorist organisations in the country and beyond the borders for sovereignty and independence.
Regarding the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, he noted that Turkey is not against the accession of these countries to the alliance but requests that they keep their commitments according to the June agreement.
Meanwhile, Sweden and Finland need to cooperate more with Turkey and tighten their anti-terror laws to combat terrorist groups to join NATO, the alliance’s top official has said.
The two Nordic countries should bolster cooperation with Turkey in the fight against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which NATO recognises as a terrorist organisation, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told Swedish public broadcaster SVT late on Sunday.
On why Turkey has yet to join 28 fellow allies in ratifying Sweden and Finland’s application to join NATO, Stoltenberg noted that Ankara’s terrorism-related concerns were due to it having suffered more terror attacks than any other country in the alliance.
Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO in June, a decision spurred by Russia’s attacks on Ukraine. However, Ankara voiced objections to the membership bids, criticising the countries for tolerating and even supporting terrorist groups.
READ MORE: General Floros’ message to Turkey: “Anyone threatening Greek soil will face a new Marathon.”
