Sweden to seek constructive progress with Turkey over NATO bid

FILE PHOTO: Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde signs the country's application for NATO membership at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Stockholm, Sweden May 17, 2022. TT News Agency/Henrik Montgomery via REUTERS

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) -Sweden will look to make constructive progress in talks with Turkey on Ankara's objections over the Nordic country's application to join the NATO defensive alliance, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Friday.

Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO last month in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine but face opposition from Turkey, which accuses them of supporting and harbouring Kurdish militants and other groups it deems terrorists.