AssetID: 52889244
Headline: UNCAPTIONED: Turkey Backs Sweden's NATO Bid
Caption: Turkey Backs Sweden’s NATO Bid. Turkey previously blocked Sweden's application, accusing the country of providing asylum to Kurdish militants. But according to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has changed his stance and will now support Sweden joining the alliance, BBC reports. Erdogan says he will present Sweden's application to parliament and "ensure ratification". Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson responded to the news by saying, "I am very happy. It is a good day for Sweden". U.S. President Joe Biden also issued a statement. "I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO ally." President Joe Biden, via statement. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock took to Twitter to say, "At 32, we're all safer together". British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak agreed that Sweden's admittance would "make us all safer," BBC reports. According to Stoltenberg, a "clear date" for when Sweden will join the alliance cannot be established, as Turkey's parliament must first approve ratification. The country's eastern neighbor, Finland, joined NATO in April. THIS VIDEO MUST NOT BE EDITED FOR LENGTH TO COMBINE WITH OTHER CONTENT
Keywords: Turkey,Sweden,NATO,Bid,April,Finland,Neighbor,Eastern,Country,Ratification,Kurdish militants,British Prime Minister,Rishi Sunak,Agreed,Parliament
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