NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg addresses media representatives at a press conference at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on July 6, 2023, following a meeting between the foreign ministers of Turkey and Sweden. (Photo by Francois Walschaerts / AFP)
Brussels: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday he has convened a meeting between the leaders of Turkey and Sweden on Monday, the eve of a summit next week, to push Stockholm's stalled membership bid.
"What we are working to achieve is a positive decision at the summit where Turkey makes clear it is ready to ratify," Stoltenberg said after talks at NATO headquarters with foreign ministers from the two countries.
Sweden pushes Turkey on NATO entry
Sweden's foreign minister met his Turkish counterpart on Thursday at the NATO headquarters to try and unblock Ankara's opposition to Stockholm's membership bid before a summit of alliance leaders next week.
NATO allies are pressuring Ankara to give way after a year of delay and let the Scandinavian nation in by the time the gathering in Lithuania starts on Tuesday.
