NATO
November 3, 2022

Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Türkiye, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

Stoltenberg: Türkiye is a highly valued NATO Ally….

You play a major role in…our mission in Iraq.

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NATO also contributes to the security of Türkiye.
By augmenting your air defences.

And through our air and naval presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

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Today, we discussed a number of issues, including the situation in the Aegean…Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO, and our support for Ukraine.

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We also see Iran offering drones and considering ballistic missile deliveries to Russia.
This is unacceptable.

No country should provide support to Moscow in this illegal war.

I want to thank Türkiye for all its support to Ukraine.

The cutting-edge drones and ships built here in Türkiye are helping to uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence.

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Today, we also discussed the ratification of Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership.

At the Madrid Summit in June, all Allies made an historic decision to invite Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
And all Allies signed the accession protocols.
Türkiye, Finland and Sweden also agreed a Trilateral Memorandum.
As you said, Mevlüt, you have significant expectations that this Memorandum will deliver more security for Türkiye.
I recognise your concerns.
At the same time, it is clear that Finland and Sweden have delivered on the Memorandum and are committed to the long-term partnership with Türkiye.

This week I have spoken to the leadership of both Finland and Sweden.
And I welcome the major, concrete actions taken by both countries to put the Memorandum into practice.

Finland and Sweden have significantly increased cooperation with Türkiye to counter terrorism.
And a Permanent Joint Mechanism has been established.

Sweden is passing new legislation prohibiting participation in terrorist organisations, including the PKK….

More extraditions and expulsions are taking place.
And restrictions on arms sales to Türkiye have ended.

Finland and Sweden have delivered on their agreement with Türkiye.
They have become strong partners in our joint fight against terrorism, in all its forms and manifestations.
And they are clearly committed to a long-term engagement with Türkiye to address your security concerns.

So it is time to welcome Finland and Sweden as full members of NATO.

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In these dangerous times, it is even more important to finalise their accession….

And to send a clear message to Russia that NATO’s door remains open….

So I look forward to welcoming both countries as full NATO members in the near future.

Dear Mevlüt,
Thank you again for Türkiye’s strong commitment to our Alliance.

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Reporter (CNN Türk):

Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu: [answers in Turkish]

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: [T]his demonstrates the important role that Türkiye has played in the conflict in Ukraine. Not only by supporting Ukraine, with essential equipment, with drones, with ships, with other humanitarian and military support….