Speaking at a press conference on July 12 after the conclusion of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, President Erdogan said that Sweden's application for NATO membership will not be approved by the Turkish Parliament before October, as the country's Parliament is on summer break. However, he hoped that lawmakers would quickly vote on the issue as soon as the Parliament resumes.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Photo: Reuters

In addition, President Erdogan stressed that Stockholm will provide Ankara with a roadmap on the steps it will take to deal with terrorism. Erdogan also added that under the new agreement between the two countries, a bilateral security mechanism will be established at the ministerial level, and the two countries will strengthen cooperation and coordination in the fight against terrorist organizations. In addition, Sweden will also actively support Turkey in modernizing the customs union, liberalizing visas as well as Türkiye's accession to the European Union (EU).

Regarding Türkiye's purchase of US F-16 fighter jets, President Erdogan said he is more hopeful than ever on this issue after talks with US President Joe Biden a day earlier.

VNA