Appropriation is granted by the Foreign Affairs Committee, but the outcome hinges on a vote in parliament by Erdoğan, who has stalled the process.
Sweden’s application to join NATO has been approved by the foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament, removing a significant obstacle in the process that was set in motion by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
For months, Sweden’s application to join NATO was hampered by opposition from Turkey and Hungary. More recently, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan connected the application to acquiring F-16 fighter jets from the United States.
Nineteen months after Sweden applied for membership, Turkey and Hungary are the only two NATO members still in favor of approving its bid. The two accepted Finland as Nato’s 31st member in April.
As a member of the foreign affairs committee representing the opposition CHP party, Utku Cakirozer stated to Agence France-Presse that “the protocol [on Sweden’s NATO accession] passed the committee.”
This action prepares the way for a vote in the entire parliament, where the majority of seats are held by Erdoğan’s ruling alliance. It was not immediately clear when it would be.
Jens Stoltenberg, the head of NATO, praised the committee’s decision and expressed his expectation that Turkey and Hungary would finish their ratifications “as soon as possible… Sweden’s membership will make Nato stronger.”
“We look forward to becoming a member of Nato,” Tobias Billstrom told the Swedish TV channel SVT Nyheter.
After Sweden and Finland agreed in a “trilateral memorandum” to address the Turkish government’s concerns about Kurdish activities, Erdoğan withdrew his objections in July.
Nato allies have piled pressure on Turkey, with France saying the credibility of the alliance was “at stake”.
December saw Erdoğan tie Sweden’s admittance to the US Congress to the US Congress’s “simultaneous” approval of Turkey’s purchase of F-16 fighter jets. He also said Nato allies including Canada should lift arms embargos imposed on Turkey.
The head of the German Marshall Fund’s office in Ankara, Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, stated: “Sweden will work with Turkey to coordinate its F-16 sales and NATO membership to some extent, as both nations do not trust each other.” ”.
2019 saw Ankara’s withdrawal from the US-led F-35 joint strike fighter program, which has negatively impacted Turkey’s aging air force. This was done as payback for Erdoğan’s choice to purchase a cutting-edge Russian missile defense system, which NATO considers to be a threat to operational security.
The administration of US President Joe Biden has stated time and time again that the $20 billion F-16 sale will proceed, but lawmakers have blocked it due to concerns about Turkey’s alleged human rights violations and ongoing tensions with Greece.
“Neither the US Congress nor the parliament of Sweden have a strong consensus regarding the sale of F-16s to Turkey or Sweden’s membership in NATO,” Unluhisarcikli stated.
Erdoğan’s anti-Israel rhetoric after the start of its war with Hamas had raised concerns in Washington.
“Turkey’s statements supporting Hamas further complicated the F-16 process, although the issues are unrelated,” Unluhisarcikli stated, adding that the recent killing of Turkish soldiers by Kurdish militants might also have an impact on Sweden’s decision to join NATO.
“But if Biden and Erdoğan show the necessary will, we can expect the process to be concluded soon.”
Turkey has officially ratified Sweden’s membership in NATO, paving the way for the Nordic country to join the military alliance. This move leaves Hungary as the only remaining NATO member that has not yet endorsed Sweden’s accession.
Key Points:
- Turkey’s parliament approved Sweden’s membership on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
- The ratification was published in Turkey’s official gazette on Thursday, January 25, 2024, making it official.
- Hungary is now the only NATO member that has not yet ratified Sweden’s membership.
- Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson welcomed the ratification, calling it a “key milestone” in Sweden’s path towards NATO membership.
Background:
Turkey had previously delayed Sweden’s membership for over a year, citing concerns about the country’s alleged support for Kurdish militants. However, Turkey eventually agreed to endorse Sweden’s membership after the Nordic country took steps to address Ankara’s concerns.
Implications:
Sweden’s accession to NATO will strengthen the alliance’s presence in the Baltic Sea region and enhance its collective defense capabilities. It will also send a strong message of unity and solidarity in the face of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine
Remaining Hurdle:
Hungary remains the only NATO member that has not yet ratified Sweden’s membership. It is unclear when or if Hungary will endorse Sweden’s accession.
Additional Information:
- Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s membership is a significant development in the ongoing expansion of NATO.
- Sweden’s accession will bring the number of NATO members to 33.
- The ratification process is expected to be completed in the coming months.
Turkey’s formal ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership is a major step forward for the Nordic country’s bid to join the alliance. With only Hungary remaining as a holdout, it is likely that Sweden will become a full-fledged NATO member in the near future.
What did Turkey gain for approving Sweden’s NATO bid? | DW News | DW News
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