President Erdogan To Meet Swedish And NATO Leaders Before NATO Summit, Give Membership Blessings?

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is set to attend a meeting with the leaders of Sweden and Finland, as well as NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on Tuesday ahead of the summit in Madrid, Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim said on Sunday.

Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the wish has faced opposition from Turkey, angered by what it says is Helsinki and Stockholm support, over Kurdish militants being deemed terrorists and an arms embargo on Ankara.

Speaking to broadcaster Haberturk, Kalin said he and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal would also attend another round of talks with the Swedish and Finnish delegations in Brussels on Monday.

"There will be a four-way summit at the leadership level with the presence of our president in Madrid at the request of the Secretary-General of NATO," he said.

Kalin further explained that even though President Erdogan attended talks with Sweden, Finland and NATO on Tuesday, "it does not mean we will take a step back from our position."

Kalin said Turkey and the Nordic countries had largely agreed on issues and would be in a better position in Madrid if they could agree on them during talks on Monday.

"We have brought the negotiations to a certain point. It is impossible for us to take a step back here," Kalin stressed of Monday's talks.

Earlier this month, Turkey said that the documents it received from Sweden and NATO in response to earlier written demands submitted to the two candidates fell short of its expectations and any negotiations would have to first address Turkey's concerns.

Kalin previously said the Madrid summit was not a deadline, due to Sweden and Finland joining NATO.

It is known, NATO leaders will convene in Madrid on June 29-30. Each NATO membership application requires the approval of the 30 alliance members. Turkey itself has been a NATO ally for more than 70 years and has the alliance's second-largest army.