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R. Menendez: Turkey seeks ransom to say ‘yes’ to Sweden-Finland

Leaders of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee have expressed the criticism that the United States has rightly chosen to abstain from talks between Turkey, Sweden and Finland on the two Nordic countries joining NATO.

Ankara is threatening to block the accession process of the two candidate countries, as it accuses Sweden and Finland of offering shelter to members and executives of mainly Kurdish organizations, which it describes as terrorist entities. This has led to a series of discussions and diplomatic processes aimed at bypassing the Turkish veto’s abyss until the forthcoming NATO Summit in Madrid.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, accused Turkey of taking a opportunistic stance in order to obtain a ransom. He estimated that Turkey might have tried to do so with the United States if Washington had been actively involved in the negotiation process. “I do not know what (Turkey) is trying to get from Sweden and Finland. But ultimately, that is the issue. And maybe if we get into the game (the US) they want to get something in return from us. “This is something I will strongly oppose. We do not need any concessions for two major democracies to join NATO.”

He further added that Turkey’s reservations only serve Vladimir Putin.

The minority leader Jim Rees seemed to be moving in the same direction, saying that “these (discussions) should be left to them (Turkey, Sweden and Finland) without us (the US) at this stage. However, it should be fully understood that this issue must be resolved, because it is extremely important. ” In this light, the Republican senator stressed that the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO is an immediate priority for the alliance and stressed that the two candidate countries are holding talks in good faith with Turkey.

The Swedish government has already decided to lift the arms embargo on Turkey.

Senator Chris Van Hollen: Turkey accuses Finland and Sweden of pursuing the same policy as the United States on terrorism and Kurdish organizations

Taking the baton, Senator Chris Van Hollen argued that the policies of Finland and Sweden are fully in line with the stance of the United States and most of its allies on terrorism and Kurdish organizations. As he explained, the two candidate countries recognize the PKK (Kurdistan Workers’ Party) as a terrorist organization. The Maryland senator, however, did not shy away from speaking out on the issue of the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), which are part of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Not only have these Kurdish units not been classified as terrorist organizations by the State Department, but they have been spearheaded in the war against Islamic State and thus proved to be the most credible US partners in the region. With this in mind, Senator Van Hollen argued that the Turkish allegations against Sweden and Finland constitute an indirect but clearly a reproach against the United States government.

“To be clear, Sweden has already passed a law recognizing the PKK as a terrorist organization, right? So they are aligned with the United States and most of our partners. And it is not true that the United States has been a strong partner with the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF, main component of which is YPG) in the fight against Islamic State? So, to be clear, I want to resolve this issue, but we need to make it clear to President (Turkish Recep Tayyip) Erdogan (Turkey) criticizes Sweden and Finland for US actions. President Erdogan also wants Gulen extradited. We are a country that recognizes the rule of law. Sweden and Finland themselves. Concerns here (in Congress) about the development of Russian S-400s in Turkey and we have taken action in this committee, so I want to support ongoing conversations. “But let us recognize that the positions taken by Sweden and Finland are almost in line with the US position on the SDF and the very important fight against Islamic State and terrorism.”

Senator Menendez Focuses on Equal Distance Policy: I’m not limited by the limitations you feel at the State Department

Senator Menendez did not fail to express his frustration with the fact that once again the State Department avoids taking a clear position and merely urges the three countries to work together to overcome the problem. Addressing Karen Donfried, Under Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, he said: “I do not have the same restrictions that all of you at the State Department may have. But then, as Senator Van Hollen said, the reality is that Finland and Sweden are now aligning their policies with what has to do with the PKK, the SDF and our struggle. “Against the Islamic State. Therefore, it is a bit dishonest to urge all parties to cooperate.”

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee continued to focus on the policy of “equal distances”, saying “I would just like to note for history that in the nearly 30 years that I have been involved in foreign policy, one of the things that bothers me in the State “The department, regardless of who is in government, is that we call on all parties to do something, when in the end not all parties are responsible for the conflict or the issue or the problem we have to deal with.”

NATO summit in Madrid: race against time to overcome Turkish veto

Speaking at the Foreign Affairs Committee, US Undersecretary of State Karen Donfried expressed optimism that the accession talks would bear fruit by the time of the NATO Summit in Madrid.

“We are confident that the issue will be resolved in a positive way. There is deep and broad support throughout the NATO Alliance for the accession of Finland and Sweden. Therefore, we hope to have a positive solution soon,” he said.

This position was answered by Senator Chris Van Hollen, who pressed the Undersecretary to give a specific timetable, asking if he was able to confirm that unanimity would be secured for the accession of Sweden and Finland until the NATO Summit in Madrid. Karen Donfried limited herself to answering “I will tell you that we are definitely pushing for this”.

SOURCE: ΑΠΕ-ΜΠΕ

Source: Capital

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