Turkey has 'legitimate concerns' over terrorism, NATO chief says

Turkey has legitimate concerns over terrorism and other issues that need to be taken seriously according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

Turkey doesn't want the two Nordic nations to join NATO until they change their policies.

"No other NATO ally has suffered more terrorist attacks than Turkey," said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg at a news conference with the president of Finland.

These are concerns that need to be addressed. It's about terrorism and weapons exports. Turkish concerns about the PKK need to be addressed.

He spoke at the residence of the president of the country.

Russia's war in Ukraine pushed Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO. The Nordic nations have been accused by the Turkish President of supporting Kurds who are considered to be terrorists.

We have to take Turkey seriously when they raise concerns about terrorism. "That's what we do."

Lifting restrictions on arms exports to Turkey, as well as extraditing members of Kurdish organizations that are against the government, are some of the demands made by Ankara.

In the past weeks, NATO's chief has been trying to resolve the dispute, but he didn't say if any progress has been made.

He was to take part in an annual discussion panel in Kultaranta with politicians and experts.

The Prime Minister of Sweden will be having a meeting with the Secretary of State.