Sweden moves one step closer to NATO membership after a Turkish parliamentary committee gives approval

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Sweden’s path to NATO membership has taken a significant stride forward as the Turkish parliamentary committee responsible for foreign affairs granted its approval. This decision signifies a notable development for Sweden, a nation that has traditionally adhered to a non-aligned stance in international affairs, now edging closer to becoming part of the Western military alliance.

The next crucial step in this process involves securing approval for Sweden’s accession protocol in Turkey’s general assembly. However, as of now, no specific date has been set for this crucial legislative stage.

It’s worth noting that Turkey, a long-standing NATO member, had previously delayed ratifying Sweden’s application for over a year. The delay was primarily attributed to Turkey’s concerns about Sweden’s approach to certain groups that Ankara perceives as threats to its security. These groups include Kurdish militants and individuals associated with a network that Ankara holds responsible for a failed coup attempt in 2016.

Adding further complexity to the situation, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently introduced an additional hurdle by explicitly linking the ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership to the U.S. Congress’ approval of Turkey’s request to acquire 40 new F-16 fighter jets and equipment to modernize its existing fleet.

President Erdogan has also called upon other NATO allies, including Canada, to lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey. However, it’s worth noting that there is substantial opposition within the U.S. Congress to military sales to Turkey, creating a challenging diplomatic landscape.

The Turkish parliamentary committee’s discussion on Sweden’s NATO membership began last month but was temporarily adjourned. This delay occurred when legislators from President Erdogan’s ruling party requested more time, citing the need for further clarification on certain issues and stating that negotiations with Sweden had not reached a sufficient level of maturity.

Nevertheless, on Tuesday, the majority of committee members voted in favor of Sweden’s application to join NATO. This represents a significant shift in the trajectory of Sweden’s NATO bid.

Sweden, along with Finland, made the decision to abandon their longstanding military nonalignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Finland successfully joined NATO in April, becoming the alliance’s 31st member, following ratification by Turkey’s parliament.

It’s important to note that NATO expansion requires unanimous approval from all existing member states, and Turkey and Hungary have been the main countries withholding their support. Hungary, in particular, has raised concerns about what it sees as misleading statements by Swedish politicians regarding the state of Hungary’s democracy.

These delays have been a source of frustration for other NATO allies who have been eager to welcome Sweden and Finland into the alliance, highlighting the complexity of the diplomatic and political landscape surrounding Sweden’s NATO membership aspirations.

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More about NATO Membership

• Sweden’s NATO Membership Bid
• Turkey’s Role in NATO
• Turkey-Sweden Diplomatic Relations
• NATO Expansion Policies
• Sweden and Finland’s Shift to NATO
• Challenges to NATO Membership
• Geopolitical Implications