Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday that Brussels should clear the path for Ankara's accession to the European Union, before his country approves Sweden's bid for NATO membership.

"First, let's clear Turkey's way in the European Union, then let's clear the way for Sweden, just as we paved the way for Finland," Erdogan said at a news conference, before he departs for the NATO summit in Lithuania.

Erdogan also emphasized that "Turkey has been waiting at the gate of the European Union for over 50 years now," and "almost all NATO member countries are European member countries."

NATO had been aiming to admit Sweden to the alliance before July 11, when its major summit begins in Vilnius, Lithuania -- but Turkey blocked Sweden's accession due to long-running disagreements between the two countries.