In a diplomatic development on Tuesday, Turkey’s parliament’s foreign affairs committee gave its consent to Sweden’s bid to join NATO, bringing the previously nonaligned Nordic country one step closer to becoming a member of the Western military alliance.
The approval from the committee sets the stage for the final stage of the legislative process in Turkey, where Sweden’s accession protocol will need approval from the Turkish parliament’s general assembly. However, as of now, no specific date has been announced for this crucial step.
Turkey Delays Sweden’s NATO Entry Over Security Concerns
Turkey, a NATO member itself, has been a stumbling block in Sweden’s path to NATO membership, delaying the ratification for over a year. Ankara has accused Sweden of being too lenient towards groups it considers security threats, including Kurdish militants and individuals linked to a failed coup in 2016.
Last month, discussions about Sweden’s NATO membership in the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee were adjourned after legislators from President Erdogan’s ruling party called for a postponement, citing the need for more clarification on certain issues and asserting that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough.
The committee reconvened on Tuesday, where a significant majority of legislators voted in favor of Sweden’s application to join NATO.
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Sweden Gains Overwhelming Support in NATO Bid Approval
Prior to the vote, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed committee members, highlighting steps taken by Sweden to meet Turkish demands, including lifting restrictions on defense industry sales and amending anti-terrorism laws.
Deputy Foreign Minister Akcapar emphasized that the process requires long-term and consistent effort, and Turkey will continue to monitor Sweden’s progress.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also welcomed the development, urging Turkey and Hungary to complete their ratifications soon. However, Hungary has also stalled Sweden’s bid, accusing Swedish politicians of spreading lies about Hungary’s democracy.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently linked the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership to the U.S. Congress’ approval of Turkey’s request to purchase 40 new F-16 fighter jets. Erdogan also called on Canada and other NATO allies to lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey, a move met with mixed responses.
Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional nonalignment stance to seek NATO protection following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finland joined NATO in April after Turkey’s parliament ratified its bid.
NATO expansion requires unanimous approval from existing members, and Turkey and Hungary remain the only countries delaying Sweden’s accession, frustrating other NATO allies eager to welcome them into the alliance.
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