US recognizes Turkiye’s concerns over Finland, Sweden’s NATO bid, Karen Donfried says

We recognize Turkiye’s legitimate concerns regarding Finland and Sweden’s NATO bid, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, Karen Donfried, said, Report informs, citing the Turkish media.

She said they believe the US and overall Transatlantic security will be strengthened by their membership, however, she also commented on Turkiye’s concerns.

“We recognize Turkiye’s legitimate concerns regarding terrorism, which NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg has also highlighted. We continue to encourage Stockholm, Ankara, and Helsinki to work together to find a path forward that addresses the security concerns of all Allies, and urge the Alliance to reach consensus on the accession process in an expeditious manner,” she stressed.

Karen Donfried has indicated that Finland and Sweden's NATO membership will be secured by the votes of all countries: “Of course, the United States, like Turkiye, wants to put an end to support for terrorism, and we take this issue seriously. As far as I know, negotiations between the three countries are going positively,” the US official said.

Talking about the NATO summit to be held in Madrid next week, Donfried stressed that official documents on Sweden and Finland's NATO membership could be signed at the end of the talks with Turkiye.

The United States is hopeful that there will soon be a positive resolution of the issues between Turkiye, Finland, and Sweden, Donfried said.