NATO application not 'an easy task' says Swedish PM

Sweden's new prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, meets with Finland’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, and president, Sauli Niinisto, to discuss bilateral relations and security in Helsinki.

"Sweden and Finland want as soon a ratification as possible" says Kristersson, "that's the main reason I had a telephone conversation just the other day with president Erdogan."

The Swedish PM's comments come after Türkiye had raised concerns over the Scandinavian nation's application to NATO.

Finland and Sweden will join NATO at the same time, their prime ministers said, presenting a united front to Türkiye which has raised questions about both their applications.

The Nordic neighbours asked to join the alliance in May in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, but ran into objections from Türkiye which accused the two of harbouring groups it deems terrorists.

Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Türkiye's president had told her he had more questions for Sweden than for her country. But she said she would not leave Sweden behind in the process.

"It is very important for us, of course, that Finland and Sweden would join NATO hand in hand," Marin told reporters at a joint press conference in Helsinki with her Swedish counterpart.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who took office last week, said: "We have been taking every step, so far, hand in hand and none of us have any other ambition."

He said he would meet Erdogan soon.