NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday the alliance is working to get Sweden to join the alliance "as soon as possible," and remained confident a "positive decision" could come during this week's NATO summit in Vilnius.
On Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call for the European Union to "clear the way for Turkey" to join the bloc in order for Ankara to "clear the way for Sweden" to join NATO, Stoltenberg stated he supports Turkey's "ambition" to be an EU member, but pointed out that he needs to stick to the initial list of conditions given to Sweden.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that Turkey had "legitimate concerns" about Sweden, but insisted Stockholm addressed those by removing restrictions on arms exports and strengthening terrorism laws. He insisted that Turkey must also understand "legitimate concerns" of other allies who want to see Sweden in the alliance, as such a move would strengthen NATO.
