Sweden lifts arm embargo on Turkey
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, Sweden, a Nordic country, announced lifting arm embargo and military equipment on Turkey.
“Sweden’s application for membership in NATO greatly strengthens the defense and security policy reasons for granting the export of military equipment to other member states, including Turkey,” the Inspectorate for Strategic Products (ISP), a Swedish administrative authority, said in a statement.
This step comes following the Nordic country’s decision to join the NATO military alliance and agreement to overcome Turkish objections.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to block Sweden and Finland’s bids over Ankara’s accusations they supported the support the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Democratic Union Part (PYD) and the People’s Protection Unites (YPG).
The ISP allowed strategic products subjected to arms export legislation to be delivered to Turkey.
It said in the statement it began giving export permits during the third quarter but did not reveal which companies or products had been given the go-ahead, citing confidentiality, according to Reuters.
Sweden and Finland effectively banned arms exports to Turkey in 2019 after its invasion of the cities of Sere Kaniye (Ras al-Ain) and Tel Abyad
In June, Turkey lifted its veto over Finland and Sweden’s applications to join NATO, paving the way for the Nordic countries to join the alliance, after the three nations agreed to protect each other’s security.