PM Kristersson: Sweden Will Fulfill Its Obligation To Fight Terrorist Threats

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan received a visit from Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. (Source: Presidency of The Republic of Turkey)

JAKARTA - Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country would fulfill all promises to Turkey regarding Ankara's security concerns related to terrorist groups, which have become an obstacle in the membership approval process of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

"I would like to assure all Turks, Sweden will fulfill all obligations Turkey has asked in countering terrorist threats," PM Kristersson said at a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, after bilateral talks in the capital Ankara, reported by Daily Sabah November 9.

Sweden's prime minister acknowledged Turkey's security concerns, saying Stockholm understood Ankara was playing a war against the PKK terrorist group and wanted to help the struggle.

Meanwhile, President Erdogan highlighted Ankara's concern for terrorist groups, as he welcomed the Swedish PM's remarks on compliance with Madrid's memorandum.

"Swedia wants NATO membership for its own safety and Turkey wants to see Sweden work with Ankara to get rid of its security concerns," President Erdogan said.

President Erdogan further said Ankara was pleased that the newly said Swedish government would comply with the tripartite memorandum signed in Madrid, Spain.

In response to a question about which part of the agreement that Sweden has not fulfilled, President Erdogan referred to the excitation of terrorists wanted by Turkey, as well as the country's terrorist propaganda.

"The PKK/PYD/YPG terrorist organizations, FETANs, and DHKP-C must be prevented from exploiting Sweden's democratic environment," said President Erdogan.

"It is imperative that Sweden extradite the terrorists sought after by Turkey, including senior FET figures.

Meanwhile, the Swedish Parliament is expected to hold a vote next week on the new Counterterrorism Act amid Turkey's concerns over NATO's offer.

President Erdogan also said the resumption of arms exports to Turkey was a positive step.

Swedish authorities assigned to control exports of war materials, allowing the resumption of exports of military equipment to Turkey in September, reversed the bans in effect since 2019.

Sweden and Finland have imposed an arms export embargo to Turkey, following its military operation that attempted to clean up northern Syria of the PKK and YPG in 2019.

Meanwhile, any submission to join NATO requires support from each of its 30 members. Turkey, which has been a NATO ally for more than 70 years, said it would not change its view unless Nordic countries took concrete steps on its concerns.