"Erdogan's Connection: Sweden's NATO Membership and Turkey's EU Accession"

Turkish President Erdogan has called on the European Union (EU) to open the way for Turkey's accession to the bloc before Turkey's parliament approves Sweden's bid to join NATO. Erdogan linked Sweden's NATO bid to Turkey finally joining the EU, stating that Turkey has been waiting at the EU's door for over 50 years. He also emphasized that Sweden's accession depends on the implementation of a deal reached during the NATO summit in Madrid last summer. Ankara has criticized Sweden for not doing enough against individuals it considers terrorists, mainly members of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).