Erdogan’s 10 conditions to say ‘yes’ to Finland-Sweden NATO membership

Ankara has compiled a list of 10 terms as “proof of compliance” of Helsinki and Stockholm to – once fulfilled – reconsider its stance on Finland and Sweden’s request for NATO membership.

Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that he was opposed to the two Scandinavian countries joining NATO, after – as he said – they refused to extradite to Turkey individuals involved in PKK activities.

He even suggested that the representatives of the Nordic countries, who plan to visit Ankara in the near future, to persuade Turkey to accept them into the Alliance, not to bother with travel.

According to a report in the pro-government Turkish daily Sabah, Ankara’s decision to change its stance on the request of Sweden and Finland concerns the following:

1. Sweden and Finland must to “take a stand” on the PKKwhich Turkey considers a terrorist organization.

2. Prohibit holding events in their parliaments by individuals linked to terrorist structuresmeaning pro-Kurdish organizations.

3. To stop the alleged provision of material assistance by the Turks to the so-called People’s Self-Defense Forces in Syriawhich – according to Ankara – are linked to the PKK.

4. Accelerate the extradition to Turkey of persons linked to “terrorism”.

5. To cut off contacts with Kurdish groups operating in Iraq and Syria.

6. To cut off contacts with wanted or fugitive members of Fethullah Gulen’s organization FETO, which according to Ankara, are involved in the coup attempt in Turkey in 2016.

7. Not to take measures against the national security of Turkey.

8. Establish the cooperation between the two countries with Turkey in the fight against “terrorism”meaning again the Kurds.

9. Freeze bank accounts entities and citizens associated with terrorist organizations.

10. Do not allow in their territory on conducting activities by NGOs with anti-Turkish orientation.