Erdogan sets new conditions

Turkey's EU membership was thrown on the negotiating table at the last minute by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of Tuesday's NATO meeting in what is seen as an attempt to prove to Turkish public opinion that he has won additional gains to lift Ankara's veto on Sweden's membership of the Alliance. 

Meanwhile, the assurance that the US Congress will ensure that NATO allies like Greece will stand strong no matter the developments with Turkey was given by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Robert Menendez. 

Erdogan's comments were made ahead of his departure for the NATO summit in Vilnius. 

"I am calling from here on these countries that are making Turkey wait at the door of the European Union for more than 50 years," Erdogan said.

"First, come and open the way for Turkey to the European Union and then we will open the way for Sweden, just as...