Biden, Erdogan to Meet Today

U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday congratulated Turkey, Finland and Sweden on signing a trilateral memorandum, which paves the way for Allies to invite Finland and Sweden to join NATO at the Madrid Summit, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

In a statement, Biden said he was looking forward to working with NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, U.S. Allies, and with Congress to "ensure that we can quickly welcome [Finland and Sweden] into our Alliance."

"As we begin this historic NATO Summit in Madrid, our Alliance is stronger, more united and more resolute than ever," Biden noted.

"When I welcomed President Niinistö and Prime Minister Andersson to the White House last month, I told them that the United States strongly supports their membership. Finland and Sweden are strong democracies with highly capable militaries. Their membership will strengthen NATO’s collective security and benefit the entire Transatlantic Alliance" he added.

Both Finland and Sweden already meet many of the requirements to be NATO members. Some of the requirements include having a functioning democratic political system, a willingness to provide economic transparency and the ability to make military contributions to NATO missions. However, all 30 NATO members must approve a country’s bid for it to be accepted into the alliance.

According to the White House schedule, Biden today will meet with President Erdoğan to "discuss the Alliance’s collective defense and security and a range of issues important to the bilateral relationship." The meeting will take place at IFEMA, Madrid, at 5:45 PM, local time.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.