Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Friday (July 7), said that Turkey would “make the best decision, whatever it is,” when asked about Sweden’s bid to join the&nbsp;United States-led military alliance ahead of&nbsp;the next week’s NATO summit in Vilnius. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said there are still “gaps” to bridge between Turkey and Sweden for Ankara to give Stockholm the go ahead for its accession.&nbsp;

<h2>Will Turkey support Sweden’s membership bid?</h2>

The recent comments by Erdogan, on Friday, came ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit have left the possibility for Turkey to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The talks with the Ukrainian president are to focus on the Russian invasion and the US-led military alliance’s expansion, as per reports.&nbsp;

NATO member Turkey’s indecision and reluctance on Sweden’s accession to the alliance has left Washington and Brussels irritated as they argue that Stockholm has done enough to address Ankara’s concerns. However, Erdogan reiterated his concerns, on Friday, and said, “How a country with terrorists on the streets...can contribute to NATO.”&nbsp;

The comments by the Turkish president were made in reference to Stockholm’s perceived lax attitude toward alleged Kurdish militants living in Sweden. However, Erdogan also did not deny the possibility of accepting Sweden’s membership bid which he said would be further discussed with the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, on Monday ahead of the upcoming summit.&nbsp;

<h2>Stoltenberg about the ‘gaps’ to bridge between Turkey and Sweden</h2>

The NATO-organised talks between the two countries will take place a day, on Monday, ahead of the military alliance’s leadership summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius. “On Tuesday in the leadership summit to be held in Vilnius, we will be discussing (Turkey’s concerns) with our partners. We will make the best decision, whatever it is,” said Erdogan.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, NATO chief Stoltenberg, on Friday said there are still “gaps” to be bridged between Turkey and Sweden before the former can give its go ahead for the latter’s membership bid. Addressing a press conference ahead of next week’s summit, Stoltenberg said again he would meet Swedish and Turkish leaders a day before the gathering officially starts on July 11-12.&nbsp;

<h2>Zelensky about Ukraine, Sweden's bid to join NATO</h2>

The Ukrainian president who is in the midst of visiting several NATO states, drummed up support for its membership bid. Zelensky travelled to the Czech Republic and Slovakia a day after holding talks in Bulgaria. He is also due to visit Istanbul and meet his Turkish counterpart, later on Friday.&nbsp;

While he was in Slovakia, Zelensky on Friday called on NATO to resolve the issue of Sweden and Ukraine’s membership bid and said that the indecision is a “threat” to global security. “I think there is not enough unity on this,” said Zelensky, during a press conference. He added, “This is a threat to the strength of the alliance…is (also) very important for the security of the whole world.”&nbsp;

Kyiv is also expecting some “positive results or at least some steps towards the positive outcome” from the upcoming summit in Vilnius, said the Ukrainian president. Zelensky also said the “situation with the aggressor, with Russia depends on this,” as Moscow is “counting on the world to show weakness and disunity in the Alliance, and this cannot be allowed.”&nbsp;

Zelensky has won a pledge of support for Ukraine to join NATO “as soon as the war (with Russia) is over,” from the Czech Republic. Additionally, Slovakia said the question of Kyiv’s membership was “when,” not “if”.&nbsp;

This comes as Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine would become a member but the alliance remains divided over how fast should Kyiv’s inclusion happen while others are concerned about provoking Russia. While Zelensky has acknowledged that they cannot join the alliance while the war with Russia is still going on, Kyiv needs “a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation,” said the Ukrainian president, on Thursday.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Friday (July 7), said that Turkey would “make the best decision, whatever it is,” when asked about Sweden’s bid to join the United States-led military alliance ahead of the next week’s NATO summit in Vilnius.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on Friday (July 7), said that Turkey would “make the best decision, whatever it is,” when asked about Sweden’s bid to join the United States-led military alliance ahead of the next week’s NATO summit in Vilnius. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said there are still “gaps” to bridge between Turkey and Sweden for Ankara to give Stockholm the go ahead for its accession. Will Turkey support Sweden’s membership bid? The recent comments by Erdogan, on Friday, came ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit have left the possibility for Turkey to support Sweden’s bid to join NATO. The talks with the Ukrainian president are to focus on the Russian invasion and the US-led military alliance’s expansion, as per reports. NATO member Turkey’s indecision and reluctance on Sweden’s accession to the alliance has left Washington and Brussels irritated as they argue that Stockholm has done enough to address Ankara’s concerns. However, Erdogan reiterated his concerns, on Friday, and said, “How a country with terrorists on the streets...can contribute to NATO.” The comments by the Turkish president were made in reference to Stockholm’s perceived lax attitude toward alleged Kurdish militants living in Sweden. However, Erdogan also did not deny the possibility of accepting Sweden’s membership bid which he said would be further discussed with the Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, on Monday ahead of the upcoming summit. Stoltenberg about the ‘gaps’ to bridge between Turkey and Sweden The NATO-organised talks between the two countries will take place a day, on Monday, ahead of the military alliance’s leadership summit in the Lithuanian capital city of Vilnius. “On Tuesday in the leadership summit to be held in Vilnius, we will be discussing (Turkey’s concerns) with our partners. We will make the best decision, whatever it is,” said Erdogan. Meanwhile, NATO chief Stoltenberg, on Friday said there are still “gaps” to be bridged between Turkey and Sweden before the former can give its go ahead for the latter’s membership bid. Addressing a press conference ahead of next week’s summit, Stoltenberg said again he would meet Swedish and Turkish leaders a day before the gathering officially starts on July 11-12. Zelensky about Ukraine, Sweden's bid to join NATO The Ukrainian president who is in the midst of visiting several NATO states, drummed up support for its membership bid. Zelensky travelled to the Czech Republic and Slovakia a day after holding talks in Bulgaria. He is also due to visit Istanbul and meet his Turkish counterpart, later on Friday. While he was in Slovakia, Zelensky on Friday called on NATO to resolve the issue of Sweden and Ukraine’s membership bid and said that the indecision is a “threat” to global security. “I think there is not enough unity on this,” said Zelensky, during a press conference. He added, “This is a threat to the strength of the alliance…is (also) very important for the security of the whole world.” Kyiv is also expecting some “positive results or at least some steps towards the positive outcome” from the upcoming summit in Vilnius, said the Ukrainian president. Zelensky also said the “situation with the aggressor, with Russia depends on this,” as Moscow is “counting on the world to show weakness and disunity in the Alliance, and this cannot be allowed.” Zelensky has won a pledge of support for Ukraine to join NATO “as soon as the war (with Russia) is over,” from the Czech Republic. Additionally, Slovakia said the question of Kyiv’s membership was “when,” not “if”. This comes as Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine would become a member but the alliance remains divided over how fast should Kyiv’s inclusion happen while others are concerned about provoking Russia. While Zelensky has acknowledged that they cannot join the alliance while the war with Russia is still going on, Kyiv needs “a clear signal, some concrete things in the direction of an invitation,” said the Ukrainian president, on Thursday. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Turkey remains indecisive on Sweden’s NATO bid; Stoltenberg to bridge ‘gaps’ between countries

Sweden on Monday (June 12) agreed to the extradition of a man who was convicted of drug trafficking and is a self-proclaimed supporter of the pro-Kurdish PKK. This also comes ahead of a meeting with Turkish and Swedish officials over the latter's stalled NATO bid. Earlier this month, Sweden even agreed to establish temporary NATO bases on its soil before becoming a member of the military alliance.&nbsp;

<h2>Who is the man being extradited to Turkey?</h2>

A Swedish Justice Ministry official, Ashraf Ahmed, told AFP that the government has granted “an extradition from Sweden regarding a 35-year-old Turkish citizen.” This also comes after the Supreme Court, earlier this year cleared the individual’s repatriation to Turkey, where he is also expected to serve the rest of his drug trafficking sentence.

The man, whose extradition was approved, had been sentenced in 2014 to four years and seven months in a Turkish prison for transporting a bag of cannabis. However, he was later released on parole and moved to Sweden, but was again reported arrested last year after a request from Turkish prosecutors.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-cannot-accept-some-demands-of-turkiye-for-nato-membership-pm-550526">Sweden cannot accept some demands of Turkiye for NATO membership: PM</a>

The convicted drug trafficker who has not been named has since opposed the move and claimed that the real reason that Turkey wants him back is due to his links to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and for having shown support for the PKK, reported AFP.&nbsp;

Notably, the news agency cited the court ruling against the man which noted that when asked the Turkish prosecutors if he was involved in any ongoing probes or charges linked to a “terrorist organisation” or “insulting the Turkish president,” the authorities from Ankara had denied.&nbsp;

<h2>How is this related to Sweden’s NATO bid?</h2>

Turkey has stalled Sweden’s NATO bid for months now while accusing the country of being a haven for “terrorists.” This was also in reference to the members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group which has now been banned by Turkey.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sweden-awaits-turkiyes-approval-to-join-nato-550578">Sweden awaits Turkiye's approval to join NATO</a>

Additionally, Ankara has asked Stockholm to crack down on extremist groups and return dozens of people Turkey believes were involved in a failed 2016 coup and the decades-long Kurdish fight for an independent state.&nbsp;

Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they wouldn’t support Sweden for NATO membership this was after the Quran-burning incident in the Scandinavian nation.&nbsp;

The incident in question took place in January when right-wing politician Rasmus Paludan, staged an event reportedly gave an hour-long speech against Islam and immigration and subsequently set fire to Islam’s holy book, Quran, outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/in-pics-politician-burns-quran-during-protests-in-sweden-draws-condemnation-from-turkiye-554853/#ankaras-strong-condemnation-554864">In pics | Politician burns Quran during protests in Sweden draws condemnation from Turkiye</a>

The move had drawn strong condemnation from Ankara. Notably, Turkey, at the time was also facing pressure from NATO chief <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sweden-has-fulfilled-obligations-for-membership-says-nato-chief-to-erdogan-600473">Jens Stoltenberg</a> to give up its opposition to Sweden’s bid to become a member of the military alliance.&nbsp;

The ratification of any nation to join NATO requires a unanimous vote while Sweden’s bid has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary. Sweden and Finland applied last year to join NATO as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and while Helsinki’s bid was accepted back in April Stockholm continues to struggle.&nbsp;

<h2>NATO to establish bases in Sweden?</h2>

There is a chance that NATO will set up bases in Sweden before the country is even a part of the alliance, “The government has decided that the Swedish Armed Forces may undertake preparations with NATO and NATO countries to enable future joint operations,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pal Jonson, last week.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swedens-nato-membership-bid-gets-another-jolt-after-quran-burning-incident-outraged-turkey-555120">'Won't support Sweden's NATO membership', says Turkish President Erdogan</a>

In an opinion piece in the daily Dagens Nyheter, they also wrote, “The preparations may consist of temporary basing of foreign equipment and personnel on Swedish territory. The decision sends a clear signal to Russia and strengthens Sweden's defence.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
 
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Sweden on Monday (June 12) agreed to the extradition of a man who was convicted of drug trafficking and is a self-proclaimed supporter of the pro-Kurdish PKK. This also comes ahead of a meeting with Turkish and Swedish officials over the latter's stalled NATO bid.

Sweden on Monday (June 12) agreed to the extradition of a man who was convicted of drug trafficking and is a self-proclaimed supporter of the pro-Kurdish PKK. This also comes ahead of a meeting with Turkish and Swedish officials over the latter's stalled NATO bid. Earlier this month, Sweden even agreed to establish temporary NATO bases on its soil before becoming a member of the military alliance. Who is the man being extradited to Turkey? A Swedish Justice Ministry official, Ashraf Ahmed, told AFP that the government has granted “an extradition from Sweden regarding a 35-year-old Turkish citizen.” This also comes after the Supreme Court, earlier this year cleared the individual’s repatriation to Turkey, where he is also expected to serve the rest of his drug trafficking sentence. The man, whose extradition was approved, had been sentenced in 2014 to four years and seven months in a Turkish prison for transporting a bag of cannabis. However, he was later released on parole and moved to Sweden, but was again reported arrested last year after a request from Turkish prosecutors. ALSO READ | Sweden cannot accept some demands of Turkiye for NATO membership: PM The convicted drug trafficker who has not been named has since opposed the move and claimed that the real reason that Turkey wants him back is due to his links to the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and for having shown support for the PKK, reported AFP. Notably, the news agency cited the court ruling against the man which noted that when asked the Turkish prosecutors if he was involved in any ongoing probes or charges linked to a “terrorist organisation” or “insulting the Turkish president,” the authorities from Ankara had denied. How is this related to Sweden’s NATO bid? Turkey has stalled Sweden’s NATO bid for months now while accusing the country of being a haven for “terrorists.” This was also in reference to the members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a group which has now been banned by Turkey. ALSO WATCH | Sweden awaits Turkiye's approval to join NATO Additionally, Ankara has asked Stockholm to crack down on extremist groups and return dozens of people Turkey believes were involved in a failed 2016 coup and the decades-long Kurdish fight for an independent state. Earlier this year, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said they wouldn’t support Sweden for NATO membership this was after the Quran-burning incident in the Scandinavian nation. The incident in question took place in January when right-wing politician Rasmus Paludan, staged an event reportedly gave an hour-long speech against Islam and immigration and subsequently set fire to Islam’s holy book, Quran, outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. ALSO READ | In pics | Politician burns Quran during protests in Sweden draws condemnation from Turkiye The move had drawn strong condemnation from Ankara. Notably, Turkey, at the time was also facing pressure from NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg to give up its opposition to Sweden’s bid to become a member of the military alliance. The ratification of any nation to join NATO requires a unanimous vote while Sweden’s bid has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary. Sweden and Finland applied last year to join NATO as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and while Helsinki’s bid was accepted back in April Stockholm continues to struggle. NATO to establish bases in Sweden? There is a chance that NATO will set up bases in Sweden before the country is even a part of the alliance, “The government has decided that the Swedish Armed Forces may undertake preparations with NATO and NATO countries to enable future joint operations,” said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Defence Minister Pal Jonson, last week. ALSO READ | 'Won't support Sweden's NATO membership', says Turkish President Erdogan In an opinion piece in the daily Dagens Nyheter, they also wrote, “The preparations may consist of temporary basing of foreign equipment and personnel on Swedish territory. The decision sends a clear signal to Russia and strengthens Sweden's defence.” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Amid NATO membership bid, Sweden agrees to extradite pro-Kurdish PKK supporter to Turkey

Sweden is confident that Turkey will approve its application to join the NATO military alliance, but it will not meet all the conditions that Ankara has set for its support, Sweden’s prime minister has said.

Sweden awaits Turkiye's approval to join NATO