Erdoğan makes call to ’intensify’ efforts to end war in Ukraine

The trilateral agreement Türkiye reached with Sweden and Finland that oblige NATO-aspirant Nordic states to effectively fight against all sorts of anti-Türkiye terror organizations is a diplomatic victory for the country, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said, vowing that the Turkish Parliament cannot ratify the admission of these countries to the alliance if they don't implement the agreement.

"No doubt, this memorandum of understanding that was brokered following tough negotiations is a diplomatic victory for Türkiye and the Turkish people," Erdoğan said at a press conference at the end of the NATO Summit in Madrid on June 30.

Sweden and Finland, who wish to join the alliance, promised to cooperate with Türkiye in its fight against terrorism against the PKK, PYD/YPG, FETÖ and other terror organizations and to take measures against the presence and activities of these organizations. Türkiye, in return, accepted to lift its objection to their admission to NATO.

"I see the memorandum of understanding as a sign that Türkiye's sensitivities are now understood. But, at the same, this is a beginning and an invitation [to Sweden and Finland]. We will strictly follow the implementation of the promises given to us," Erdoğan stated.

Diplomacy is not a zero-sum-game and should be seen as a tool for prevailing the win-win situation, Erdoğan said, advising Sweden and Finland to regard this memorandum from this perspective. "All our sensitivities were addressed in this memorandum of understanding. But this is not only to the benefit of Türkiye and NATO but also to the people of Sweden and Finland."

"Sweden and Finland will change their attitude towards terrorism," he said, suggesting that Sweden has promised to extradite 73 terrorists to...