Türkiye-Sweden to hold security mechanism meeting in Ankara
Turkish, NATO and Swedish flags stand on the day of a meeting between Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the eve of a NATO summit, in Vilnius, Lithuania July 10, 2023. (Reuters/Yves Herman)
Türkiye and Sweden will hold their first “Security Mechanism” meeting in Ankara tomorrow, co-chaired by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard.
The meeting marks a significant step in enhancing cooperation between the two countries, particularly in combating terrorism, according to foreign ministry sources.
Focus on strengthening cooperation against terrorism
The inaugural Security Mechanism meeting between Türkiye and Sweden will focus on improving cooperation between the institutions of both countries in tackling terrorism.
This meeting stems from an agreement made during the NATO Vilnius Summit in 2023, where Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and NATO Secretary General agreed to establish a ministerial-level Security Mechanism between Türkiye and Sweden.
In line with commitments outlined in the Trilateral Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2022, Sweden is expected to present a “roadmap” to fully implement its pledges, particularly regarding the fight against terrorism. The discussions will address security cooperation, with a focus on the PKK, PYD/YPG, and FETO, and the implementation of additional measures.
The Trilateral Memorandum and Sweden’s efforts
Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 and signed a Trilateral Memorandum of Understanding with Türkiye at the NATO Madrid Summit in June 2022.
The memorandum included commitments by Sweden and Finland to enhance their counterterrorism laws, prevent PKK-related activities, halt support for FETO and PYD/YPG, and expedite Türkiye’s extradition requests related to terrorism.
As part of these commitments, Sweden implemented a new anti-terrorism law on July 1, 2022, and introduced constitutional changes effective January 1, 2023, restricting the freedom of association for those engaging with or supporting terrorist organizations.
The updated law, which criminalized participation in terrorist organizations, came into effect on June 1, 2023.
Steps taken by Sweden
Sweden has also taken concrete steps, such as closing the bank account of the PKK-linked “Kurdish Red Crescent” in Sweden.
Additionally, Sweden appointed a liaison prosecutor to coordinate legal matters related to Türkiye. The Swedish government has distanced itself from the PYD/YPG, citing its ties to the PKK, and has initiated legal proceedings against certain PKK members.
The Swedish Security Service’s 2024 annual report referenced the PKK’s financial and propaganda activities in the country.
Bilateral and regional discussions between Türkiye and Sweden
In addition to counterterrorism efforts, discussions between Fidan and Stenergard will cover bilateral issues as well as regional and global developments.
Both countries aim to strengthen their security cooperation, with Türkiye continuing to emphasize the importance of fulfilling commitments outlined in the Trilateral Memorandum.
