Cavusoglu: Turkey cannot support NATO applications without fulfilling its obligations

Anadolu: Turkey is grateful to Hungary for its support amid the consequences of the devastating earthquakes on February 6. This was stated by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at a joint press conference with his Hungarian counterpart Peter Szijjarto on Monday in Ankara.

According to the Turkish minister, the first group of rescuers from Hungary arrived in the disaster zone 22 hours after the earthquake. In general, 35 specialists from Hungary took part in the analysis of the rubble in the provinces of Hatay and Kahramanmarash, which allowed saving 35 people, Cavusoglu noted.

He recalled that Hungary also provided active support to Turkey in 1999, when a powerful earthquake shook the north-west of Turkey. "We will never forget how in 1999 a dog named Manch, delivered from Hungary, rescued a three-year-old girl from the rubble," the Turkish minister said.

Cavusoglu thanked his Hungarian counterpart for the solidarity visit.

Stockholm's steps on NATO are not enough

Referring to the topic of NATO expansion, Cavusoglu noted that Turkey cannot support Sweden's application to join the Alliance without Stockholm fulfilling its obligations.

According to Cavusoglu, the steps taken by Stockholm in this direction are not sufficient.

He explained that the Swedish side should take into account Ankara's concerns in the fight against terrorism.

Cavusoglu recalled that Ankara signed a corresponding trilateral Memorandum with the two Scandinavian countries on the sidelines of the last NATO summit in Madrid.

The Turkish minister noted that although the Swedish authorities have amended the legislation of the kingdom, the accomplices of terrorists continue to operate freely in this country.

"We can consider separately the applications of the two Scandinavian countries to NATO. Ankara's attitude to Finland's appeal is more positive," the Turkish minister said.

Cavusoglu also strongly condemned the sanctioning of anti-Islamic actions in European countries.

"Such crimes are a manifestation of hatred on religious grounds. Desecration of sacred books, regardless of religion, is blasphemous and unacceptable. The international community must work together to combat such crimes," the Turkish minister stressed.