Continuation of ceasefire in Gaza is important both for survival of 2M Palestinians held hostage there and regional stability, says Turkish foreign minister
Sweden will not support the YPG and PYD terror groups or the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) in “any way,” the country's foreign minister told a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Türkiye's capital Ankara on Tuesday.
“We have expressed that we will not support the organizations referred to as YPG, PYD and FETO by Türkiye in any way,” said Maria Malmer Stenergard.
Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer said that Türkiye and Sweden will never allow themselves to be exploited for the benefit of terrorist organizations.
“We will also remain closed to the exploitation of organized crime groups,” he said, noting that the Swedish government had implemented certain reforms to combat terrorism and organized crime, which would lead to more effective measures.
He pointed out that "extremism leading to violence" has also been included in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.
"We know that terrorist organizations are transnational criminal groups," he added.
Strommer underlined the importance of joint efforts with allies in investigating, prosecuting and convicting these crimes as well as in preventing them.
He said a roadmap had been prepared between Sweden and Türkiye to address these issues.
The roadmap includes measures to block support channels and financial resources and to expand information and document exchanges, he added.
Given the international nature of organized crime groups, Strommer highlighted the importance of global cooperation at the operational level.
He noted that Swedish and Turkish law enforcement agencies are working closely together.
Expressing Türkiye's expectation of the continuation of these steps, Fidan said the country will continue to support Sweden in its efforts to combat terrorism.
"Sweden's positive approach will enhance NATO's capabilities and strength in the fight against terrorism,” he added.
Fidan highlighted that at the 2022 Madrid Summit, Türkiye, Sweden and Finland reached an agreement on counterterrorism efforts, and at the 2023 Vilnius Summit, they decided to establish a security mechanism to implement this understanding.
Noting that today's meeting reaffirmed their determination to strengthen cooperation and discussed the steps to be taken in this direction, Fidan said that Sweden is an important partner and ally for Türkiye.
He also said that economic cooperation is a key dimension of bilateral relations.
Sweden's NATO membership is expected to strengthen its relations with Türkiye, particularly in the areas of security and defense industry, said Fidan, adding: “We believe that in line with the indivisibility of security and the 360-degree security concept, all allies should act in unity and solidarity."
Sweden is trusted to support Türkiye's European Union membership process, he said, expressing the country's desire for Stockholm's support to continue in an effective and visible manner in overcoming the obstacles to membership and in advancing relations with the EU.
Fidan also said he provided comprehensive information on how the PKK terrorist organization destabilizes regional security and stability.
“International terrorism poses a threat to the entire world, including both of our countries,” Stenergard stressed, adding that Stockholm and Ankara, as allies, will continue to work together to counter terrorism and in all forms of struggle against it.
“As Sweden, we will continue to combat organized crime, including crimes that affect both of our countries,” she emphasized.
Stenergard further noted that this will remain among the top priorities for the two nations as Sweden will continue to work together with Türkiye as partners and allies.
The PKK, which has waged a 40-year terror campaign against Türkiye, is classified as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US and the EU. The YPG is the Syrian offshoot of the PKK.
FETO orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016 in which 252 people were killed and 2,734 wounded in Türkiye.
Türkiye accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.
-Ukraine, Gaza, Syria
In addition, Stenergard highlighted her country's support for Ukraine in its ongoing war with Russia.
Sweden will continue to stand by Ukraine in its defense against Russia, she stressed, emphasizing support through weapons supplies, grain exports and the upholding of international law.
Russia remains a security threat to Sweden through actions like infrastructure sabotage, cyberattacks, disinformation and hybrid operations, she said.
Stenergard emphasized that the fall of the Bashar Assad regime presents an historic opportunity for shaping Syria's future, calling for an inclusive and fair political process that involves women and minorities.
She highlighted Sweden's commitment to supporting Syria, including €25 million ($26 million) in aid for 2024 and continued assistance to refugees and neighboring countries like Türkiye, which hosts many who fled Assad's oppression.
Assad, Syria's leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia after anti-regime groups took control of the capital Damascus on Dec. 8, ending the Baath Party regime, which had been in power since 1963.
Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Stenergard described the situation as catastrophic, particularly for women and children.
She welcomed the ceasefire, expressing hope that it will reduce civilian suffering, improve access to humanitarian aid and reunite hostages with their families.
On the long-awaited Gaza ceasefire, which began Sunday, Fidan underlined the importance of continuing it for regional stability.
“The continuation of the ceasefire (in Gaza is important). It is crucial both for the survival of the 2 million Palestinians held hostage there and for the continuation of regional stability,” he said.
Referring to Israel's latest attacks, which have violated the ceasefire, Fidan expressed hope on continuing the ceasefire “despite all these provocations.”
Saying that ensuring the full implementation of the ceasefire conditions is one of Ankara's top priorities, he also highlighted the importance of the uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
Calling for reconstruction efforts to begin as soon as possible, both in Syria and Gaza, Fidan urged the international community to mobilize and establish more donor mechanisms and project implementation frameworks for this.
The ceasefire agreement suspended Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, which has killed nearly 47,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 110,700 since Oct. 7, 2023.
The three-phase agreement includes a prisoner exchange and sustained calm, aiming for a permanent truce and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The Israeli onslaught has left more than 11,000 people missing, with widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis that has claimed the lives of many elderly people and children in one of the worst global humanitarian disasters ever.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants in November last year for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice for its war on the enclave.
