ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Sweden’s NATO membership was approved by Turkey on Thursday, when the ratification process was completed. This move moves the formerly nonaligned nation one step closer to joining the military alliance.
The ratification was welcomed by Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who stated on the former Twitter platform X that “with this, a key milestone has been reached in Sweden’s path towards NATO membership.” ”.
Turkey’s parliament endorsed Sweden’s accession in a vote held Tuesday. The ruling party said the Nordic country’s tougher stance on Kurdish militants was key to winning approval.
Additionally, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan connected the ratification to Turkey’s intention to purchase fighter jets from the US.
Turkey, a NATO member, has been preventing Sweden from joining for more than a year, claiming that Sweden is too forgiving of organizations that Ankara views as security threats. It sought concessions from Stockholm, including moves to counter militants.
In addition, Quran-burning protests that rocked Muslim nations and a string of demonstrations by followers of the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK, in Sweden had infuriated Turkey.
Erdogan has linked ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership to the U. S. Congress’s approval of Turkey’s request to upgrade its current fleet with 40 new F-16 fighter jets and kits He has also urged Canada and other NATO allies to lift arms embargoes on Turkey.
U.S. administration officials have said they expect relatively quick action on the F-16 sale after Turkey’s ratification.
Left: FILE PHOTO: People are pictured outside the parliament building in Ankara, Turkey July 16, 2016. Photo by Tumay Berkin/Reuters.
Turkey’s relationship with NATO has been a cornerstone of its defense and security policy for the past 60 years. Since joining the alliance in 1952, Turkey has played a vital role in promoting regional and international peace, stability, and prosperity.
Turkey’s Commitment to NATO:
- A staunch Ally: Turkey has consistently been a reliable and active member of NATO, contributing to various missions and operations.
- Linchpin of Transatlantic ties: Turkey’s strategic location and strong military capabilities make it a crucial link between Europe and Asia.
- Valuable asset: Turkey’s contributions to crisis management and peacekeeping missions have been invaluable to the alliance.
Key Milestones in Turkey’s NATO Membership:
- 1951: Protocol signed for Turkey’s membership.
- 1952: Turkey officially becomes a NATO member, along with Greece.
- Cold War: Turkey assumes responsibility for protecting the alliance’s southeastern border.
- Post-Cold War: Turkey’s role within NATO expands, with contributions to various missions and operations.
Turkey’s Contributions to NATO:
- Collective defense: Turkey actively participates in NATO’s collective defense commitments, as outlined in Article 5 of the Washington Treaty.
- Crisis management: Turkey has participated in numerous NATO-led crisis management operations, including in Afghanistan, Kosovo, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Peacekeeping: Turkey has contributed to various peacekeeping missions under NATO auspices, promoting stability and security in various regions.
Challenges and Opportunities:
- Current issues: Turkey faces various challenges within NATO, including disagreements over regional conflicts and defense priorities.
- Future cooperation: Despite these challenges, Turkey remains committed to working with its NATO allies to address common security concerns and promote peace and stability in the region.
Turkey’s 60-year partnership with NATO has been a significant factor in maintaining regional and international security. As a key Ally and valuable asset, Turkey continues to play a crucial role in the alliance’s efforts to promote peace and stability in a complex and ever-changing world.
Additional Resources:
- Turkey- NATO Together for Peace and Security Since 60 Years: https://www.mfa.gov.tr/turkey-nato-together-for-peace-and-security-since60-years.en.mfa
- Turkey Humiliated NATO. If NATO Can’t Expel It, Here’s Plan B: https://www.aei.org/op-eds/turkey-humiliated-nato-if-nato-cant-expel-it-heres-plan-b/
Turkey To Be Kicked Out OF NATO After This
Is Turkey still a member of NATO?
“Turkey is a member of NATO, but under Mr. Erdogan it no longer subscribes to the values that underpin this great alliance,” wrote Mr. Lieberman and Mark D. Wallace, the chief executive of the Turkish Democracy Project, a group critical of Mr. Erdogan. Some members of Congress have said as much.
Do Turks Trust NATO?
Already, 65% of Turks say they do not trust nato, according to a recent survey, although 60% support membership of the alliance. None of this spells doom for the relationship between Turkey and nato. Western countries will try to work round Turkey’s veto by providing Finland and Sweden with security guarantees.
Should NATO and Turkey part ways?
A few pundits, in the West but also in Turkey, are once again debating whether nato and Turkey should part ways. This time, they are not alone. “Leaving nato should be put on the agenda as an alternative,” Devlet Bahceli, leader of a nationalist party in Mr Erdogan’s coalition, recently said.
Why did Turkey join NATO?
Gabriel Bouys/AFP via Getty Images Joining NATO was the best foreign-policy pursuit that Turkey ever initiated in its existence as a republic. During the Cold War, its membership in the alliance kept Turkey from being overrun by the Soviet Union and helped provide space for its economic development as a Western ally.