Jens Stoltenberg gives news an exclusive interview at NATO headquarters in Brussels. NATO’s Secretary General emphasizes that Sweden and Finland are in a much better security political situation now than when they applied for membership in the defense alliance last year. Nato will react He points to the fact that the two countries have received bilateral security assurances from a large number of Nato countries as part of the membership process. They have come from the USA, UK, Germany and others. NATO WILL REACT: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says that Sweden and Finland are already stronger than before in terms of security policy. NATO has also increased its presence in the area where Sweden and Finland are located. According to Stoltenberg, Sweden and Finland now have invited status. That is to say, they participate in NATO’s meetings, in political cooperation. They are becoming more and more integrated into the military structures, the Secretary-General points out. – Therefore, it is unthinkable that there should be any military threats against Sweden and Finland without NATO reacting, says Stoltenberg. – Challenging situation According to Stoltenberg, it was clear in advance that the burning of the Koran outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm would lead to problems for the completion of the membership process for Sweden. STRONG REACTIONS: The far-right Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan burned the Koran last weekend outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Photo: TT NEWS AGENCY / Reuters – At the same time, I believe that it should be possible for the Turkish parliament to approve the membership protocol for Sweden. Because it will be an advantage for the whole of NATO, including for Turkey, that we get Sweden and Finland as members, emphasizes Stoltenberg. The Secretary-General says that it is a demanding situation. But he points out that Turkey and President Erdogan helped invite Sweden to become a member of NATO. Turkey has also signed the membership protocol. It is the protocol that has been approved by 28 of NATO’s 30 member states, says Stoltenberg. He believes that Turkey sees the advantage of Sweden becoming a member. Stoltenberg points out that this membership process has gone very quickly, it is the fastest process in NATO’s modern history. It usually takes many years from the time you apply to becoming a member. – I am confident that Finland and Sweden will become members, the question is when, says the general secretary. Strong reactions The far-right Danish-Swedish politician Rasmus Paludan’s burning of the Koran last Saturday has caused major reactions in the Muslim world, including in Turkey. On 23 January, Erdogan said that Sweden cannot count on Turkey’s support in its application for NATO membership. SAYS NO: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not support Sweden’s application for NATO membership. Photo: Burhan Ozbilici / AP The background was that Sweden had not stopped Paludan’s Koran burning. The Turkish president also criticizes Swedish authorities for allowing Kurdish groups to demonstrate, among them the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK has waged a protracted armed struggle in Turkey, where it is branded a terrorist organization and banned. The EU and the US also have the PKK on their terrorist list. IN MANY COUNTRIES: Demonstrations outside Sweden’s consulate in Istanbul after the burning of the Koran in Stockholm. Photo: UMIT BEKTAS / Reuters Turkey is also demanding that Sweden hand over 130 people accused of being associated with the PKK and the Gülen movement, which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan believes was behind the coup attempt against him in 2013. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated earlier this month that Turkey makes demands Sweden cannot comply with. – War is unpredictable A number of NATO countries have agreed to supply Ukraine with powerful and modern Western tanks. Critical voices say that it could lead to an escalation of the war. Stoltenberg believes that NATO has no choice. – War is dangerous and war is unpredictable. Therefore, there is no risk-free solution when it comes to how NATO should support Ukraine, says Stoltenberg. SAYS YES: Jens Stoltenberg talks to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov during a meeting in Germany. Photo: Michael Probst / AP But he believes that if western countries stop supporting Ukraine, then the country will cease to be an independent democratic nation in Europe. According to the NATO chief, it will send a very clear message to President Putin and other authoritarian leaders that when they use military force, they get what they want. And that NATO and the world’s democracies do not have the strength and ability to stand up to authoritarian powers. – It is a dangerous message, it is a tragedy for the Ukrainians. It makes the world more dangerous and us more vulnerable. Therefore, it is in our security interest to support Ukraine, emphasizes the Secretary-General.
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NATO will react if Sweden and Finland are threatened militarily – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
