The President of Turkey speaks at a press conference in Ankara. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

After a meeting with the leaders of Sweden, Finland, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey now support Sweden and Finland joining NATO. According to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Turkey signed a memorandum of understanding with Finland and Sweden, supporting them in joining NATO.

In the three-way agreement, Finland and Sweden pledged to lift their arms embargo on Turkey and not provide any support to the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). They also agreed to amend their anti-terrorism laws, share intelligence with Turkey, and extradite several suspected terrorists to Turkey.

Turkey had objected to Sweden and Finland joining NATO because it said they were harboring supporters of the Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen, who is accused by Ankara of masterminding a 2016 coup attempt to topple President Erdogan.