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NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said he is confident a solution can be found to Turkey's objections to Sweden's and Finland's accession to the alliance.

In a speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Stoltenberg said the alliance "must sit down and find a way forward" and is confident that this will happen.

Turkey disagreed with Sweden and Finland's attempts to join NATO, arguing over security concerns and accusing Stockholm of supporting "terrorist groups".

Ankara is targeting the Kurdish People's Protection Force (PfP) in Syria.

Turkey has blocked the start of NATO and Finland's NATO membership talks

Turkish forces often clash with the Allies on the Syrian border, and Ankara says they are part of a larger rebel movement.

The United States, for its part, is working closely with Kurdish forces in Syria and sees them as a key ally in its fight against Islamic State extremist militias.

Sweden and Finland, among others, have imposed a ban on arms exports to Turkey after Ankara launched a military offensive against the UN in 2019.

Turkey has also expressed dissatisfaction with the two countries 'permission to hold actions by the banned Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has changed the security situation in Europe, and Sweden and Finland have decided to relinquish their neutral position and apply for NATO membership.

A number of diplomatic talks are currently under way between Turkey, Sweden and Finland to reach an agreement.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan will discuss NATO membership with Finland

In his speech, Stoltenberg stressed Turkey's strategic importance to the alliance, as well as its contribution to the fight against terrorism.

The NATO Secretary General also commented on the debate over the use of Chinese technology in 5G networks, as well as the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline.

"We must acknowledge that our economic decisions have consequences for our security.

"Freedom is more important than free trade, the protection of our values ​​is more important than profits," he was quoted as saying by Reuters.

NATO

Jens Stoltenberg

Sweden

Finland