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Added on the 17/03/2023 17:14:44 - Copyright : AFPTV - First images
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says "the time has come to ratify both Finland and Sweden and to make them full members of our alliance " during a press conference in Ankara with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. SOUNDBITE
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says he would visit Ankara "in the near future" to push Sweden's membership bid, following the re-election of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. "Exactly when is not yet decided," the US-led defence alliance's Secretary General adds. SOUNDBITE
Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, welcomes his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinistö, with an official welcoming ceremony in the Turkish capital, Ankara. The Finnish president's visit comes as the Russia-bordering Scandinavian country hopes to receive the green light from Turkey to join NATO. IMAGES
"About the NATO membership, we have to take it calmly and we have to wait for the elections in Turkey to take place" says Finnish President Sauli Niinisto. The comment comes after the Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto announced Finland has to consider joining NATO without Sweden, whose bid appears to grind to a halt after Ankara blasted Stockholm over anti-Turkey protests. "Keep your watch on the ball but don’t be a ball yourself," adds Niinisto. SOUNDBITE
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg says Sweden and Finland are committed to working with Turkey to address its concerns over their possible membership in the alliance, saying it was time to welcome them. "It's time to welcome Finland and Sweden as members of NATO," he tells a press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Istanbul. SOUNDBITE