The top diplomats of Sweden and Finland promised Kurds living in their countries that they will be protected in relation to negotiations with Turkey over the two Nordic countries’ NATO membership.
Stockholm and Helsinki applied to join NATO in May 2022 amidst security concerns due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. However, Turkey threatened to use its veto power, demanding both countries take action against what Ankara sees as terrorist groups, including those affiliated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). Turkey also handed both countries lists of people it demands to be extradited.
Following months of negotiations, Turkey approved Finland’s NATO bid last week, while Sweden’s NATO membership is still pending.
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billström told Kurdistan24 on Thursday that Stockholm opposed deportations.
“If you look at the agreement signed at the Madrid summit, the duties and responsibilities that Sweden must fulfill are very clear,” Billström said, referring to a trilateral agreement signed by Turkey, Finland and Sweden last year.
According to the trilateral memorandum signed in June 2022, the two Nordic countries agreed to work harder to fight terrorism, including intensifying work on the extradition and deportation of people suspected of engaging in terrorism.
“The agreement doesn’t mention anyone’s deportation. We will fight terrorism, but within the framework of the Swedish system and courts,” Kurdistan24 quoted the minister as saying.
“The Swedish government has made this very clear by signing the agreement,” he added.
“The entire Kurdish diaspora in the country will be protected,” Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told Kurdistan 24’s correspondent Barzan Hassan.
“There are about 10 thousand Kurdish citizens living in Finland. We have communication with them, everything is fine and they will be protected,” the news site quoted the minister as saying.
