The Turkish presidency reported on Sunday that President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with President Joe Biden over Sweden’s candidature for NATO membership
Mr. Erdogan told President Biden that Stockholm had taken steps in the right direction for Ankara to ratify its request for membership in the military alliance, referring to an anti-terrorism law, but that the steps had not resulted in results because supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) continued to demonstrate in Sweden.
“The leaders agreed to hold a special conversation during the Vilnius meeting to discuss bilateral relations and regional issues in detail,” Ankara said.
Sweden failed to persuade Turkey to back it on its path to NATO membership on Thursday.
Ankara pressed Stockholm for more action in the fight against terrorism during a meeting at the level of foreign ministers.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has announced that President Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Kristersson will meet in Vilnius on Monday.
Following Russia’s aggressiveness against Ukraine, Sweden and Finland requested for NATO membership, rejecting Cold War-era policy of military apathy.
NATO membership must be authorised by all alliance members.
Finland obtained clearance in April, while Turkey and Hungary have yet to approve Sweden.
