French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna yesterday stressed that Turkey must “define its options” for Sweden and Finland to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) or it would raise questions about its “behaviour” within the alliance.
In an interview with Le Journal du Dimanche, Catherine Colonna said: “NATO Secretary General (Jens Stoltenberg) is at the forefront, but Turkey must make its choice in the face of its responsibilities. Does she want to strengthen the alliance or refuses?” This will raise questions about her behavior as a member of the Alliance.”
The French Foreign Minister stressed that “Turkey is an important member of NATO”, adding: “Finland and Sweden have made a historic choice and their presence in NATO will enhance our security in Europe, and they have made efforts in their negotiations with Turkey. .”
Despite talks last Monday in Brussels between Turkey, Sweden and Finland, the two countries’ bid to join NATO appears to be complicated as the organization’s June 28-30 summit in Madrid approaches.
Turkey accuses the two countries of harboring PKK activists, which Ankara and its Western allies classify as a “terrorist” organization, and condemns the presence of supporters of the preacher Fethullah Gülen in the two countries in light of its suspicion that they staged a coup attempt in July 2016.
