ANKARA

Sweden, even while facing criticism from Turkiye for supporting terrorist groups as it seeks NATO membership, just hosted a meeting organized by an extension of the terrorist YPG/PKK.

According to websites close to the YPG/PKK, on Saturday the SDC, one of the so-called political formations of the YPG/PKK, organized the Third Consultation Forum in the capital Stockholm under the auspices of the Swedish Foreign Ministry and the Olof Palme Center.

Members of the terrorist YPG/PKK attended the meeting virtually, as did US State Department and Italian Foreign Ministry officials.

During the forum, "proposals for successful decentralization were discussed" in regions in Syria occupied by the terrorist YPG/PKK.

Turkiye has consistently opposed the formation of a YPG/PKK terrorist corridor in neighboring Syria, along its borders.

Reached for comment by Anadolu Agency, the Swedish Foreign Ministry had no response.

The second such forum was held in Stockholm only last month.

According to information from Turkish officials, Sweden was repeatedly warned not to allow the meetings, but authorities failed to take the necessary steps.

YPG/PKK roams free in Sweden

Moreover, supporters and representatives of the terrorist PKK carry out activities in Sweden without hindrance.

For example, in January 2019, supporters of the terror group held a protest in a shopping center in Borlange, Sweden. In the protest in support of terrorist PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan, one of the banners carried by supporters of the terrorist group was a symbol of a weapon.

On webpages close to the terror group, the protest was promoted under the title "occupation action by Swedish youth."

During the protest, Swedish security forces did nothing to prevent PKK supporters from carrying the terrorist group's so-called “flag” and pictures of Ocalan.

Sweden's bid to join NATO

While giving free reign to terror groups that threaten Turkiye, due to the war in Ukraine, Sweden is now seeking membership in NATO, which Turkiye is a longstanding member of.

For decades, Sweden took a neutral foreign policy posture in the region, but the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war that started on Feb. 24 triggered a shift in its approach, with both the public and most politicians favoring joining the NATO alliance.

The Swedish government announced Sunday that it is sending a delegation of diplomats to Turkiye to discuss its NATO membership bid.

On Monday, the government announced that it would apply for NATO membership.

For any country to join NATO, all 30 member states including Turkiye must agree unanimously to extend a formal invitation, but Turkiye has so far objected, citing Sweden's failure to take a clear, strong stance against terrorist groups.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkiye, the terrorist PKK – recognized as a terror group by the US, EU, and Turkiye – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

* Writing by Seda Sevencan