Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has threatened to block Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, on Wednesday urged the alliance's members to "respect" Ankara's concerns regarding the two countries, which Turkey accuses of providing safe haven to terrorists.

"Our only expectation from NATO allies is... to first understand our sensitivity, respect and finally support it," Erdogan told his party's lawmakers in parliament.

(Cover: Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addresses media representatives during a press conference at an European Union (EU) summit at EU Headquarters in Brussels on March 24, 2022. /CFP)