Istanbul – Veto-wielding NATO member Turkey is voicing opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoga
Veto-wielding NATO member Turkey is voicing opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan telling reporters Friday he does not positively view the countries’ membership bid. Analysts warn the Turkish leader’s stance will likely rekindle questions over Ankara’s allegiances given its close ties with Moscow.
« At the moment, we are following the developments regarding Sweden and Finland, but we don’t hold positive views », Erdogan said. « Because in the past, previous Turkish governments made a mistake about Greece’s membership, and you know Greece’s current attitude against Turkey. »
Turkey and neighboring Greece are bitter rivals with numerous disputes, including ongoing tensions over disputed territorial waters in the Aegean Sea. But Erdogan’s stance has more to do with his close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Huseyin Bagci, head of the Ankara-based Foreign Policy Institute.
« Turkey has very good relations with Russia, and Russia supplies defense systems », he said.
