We use cookies on this website. By continuing to use this site without changing your cookie settings, you agree that you are happy to accept our privacy policy and for us to access our cookies on your device.
Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: US-TURKEY-NATO
HEADLINE: Turkey Wants Attention from Biden, Experts Say
TEASER: Turkey’s opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO is not a bilateral issue, but one for the whole alliance, US says
PUBLISHED AT: 5/20/22 & TIME)
BYLINE: Cindy Saine
CONTRIBUTOR: Mehmet Toroglu
DATELINE:
VIDEOGRAPHER:
PRODUCER:
SCRIPT EDITORS: Reifenrath, Jepsen SR
VIDEO SOURCE (S): VOA Turkish Service Skype interviews, AP, AFP, Reuters
PLATFORMS (mark with X): WEB __ TV __ RADIO __
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES: ))
((INTRO))
[[Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again said his country will oppose applications by Finland and Sweden to join NATO unless his security conditions are met. Analysts say Erdogan may be looking for more attention to his concerns from U.S. President Joe Biden. VOA's Senior Diplomatic Correspondent Cindy Saine reports.]]
((Video: AFP V000_32AK4VX: Swedish soldiers working on camouflaging an armored vehicle with branches- OVER TO: AFP V000_32AD2MG, Erdogan speaking to parliament))
((NARRATOR))
With both Sweden and Finland applying to join NATO in reaction to Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, top U.S. officials are seeking to clarify what exactly NATO ally Turkey is demanding in order to drop its opposition to their candidacies.
((AP Video ID: 4380421 “US-Turkey”: Turkey’s FM and Blinken standing together, over to Blinken SOT))
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with his Turkish counterpart in New York on Thursday to discuss the war in Ukraine and Finland's and Sweden’s applications.
((Antony Blinken, Secretary of State))
"Today we had Finland and Sweden submit their applications and this, of course, is a process, and we will work through that process as allies and as partners."
((AP Video ID: 4380421 “US-Turkey”: Turkey’s FM and Blinken standing together, over to Cavusoglu SOT 8, in English))
((NARRATOR))
Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlet Cavusoglu joined President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara’s strong opposition to the two Nordic countries joining the transatlantic security alliance, accusing them of harboring and financing militant Kurdish groups Turkey deems to be terrorists.
((Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister (in English)))
"It is unacceptable for countries that want to be candidates (to join NATO) to support terrorist organizations targeting us. It's not just political support. For example, Sweden supplies weapons (to terrorist organizations).
((Video: a few seconds more Erdogan B-roll))
((Video: Hoffman SOT: https://app.frame.io/player/04c630e1-f9c5-4a00-b414-8cac2ab1f84c TC: 00:19:40))
((NARRATOR))
Erdogan's going public with his concerns is a bad sign, analysts told VOA.
[[Radio Intro: Max Hoffman is with the Center for American Progress. He spoke to VOA via Skype.]]
((Max Hoffman, Center for American Progress))
((Mandatory Skype Courtesy))
“That means that he sort of either wants the public spat for domestic purposes or feels he wasn't consulted sufficiently and wants some of the kind of presidential level attention from President Biden perhaps that he has wanted for some time.”
((Video: AFP V045_32AG9LF: Biden standing with the leaders of Finland and Sweden at the WH), close-up of the Finnish President and then over to Sweden’s leader Magdalena Andersson)
((NARRATOR))
President Biden stood with the leaders of Finland and Sweden at the White House earlier this week, promising them his full support, and saying they more than meet every NATO requirement. Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said Helsinki takes terrorism seriously and is open to addressing Turkey’s concerns.
((Video: AFP V000_32AG6QX: Swedish armed forces stepping out of a vehicle, running, shooting))
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said her government was also having a dialogue with NATO member countries and emphasized the historic shift Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has brought about after 200 years of Swedish military non-alignment. New members' accession to NATO requires the approval of all 30 alliance members.
Cindy Saine, VOA News
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Embargo DateMay 20, 2022 19:21 EDT
BylineCindy Saine
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
