Türkiye to vote upon Sweden’s NATO membership

Türkiye’s parliament is set to vote on Sweden’s NATO membership, ending over a year of delays

Türkiye’s parliament is anticipated to bring an end to more than a year of delays as it is set to vote on Sweden’s NATO membership this week.

According to Turkish media, a vote could occur as early as Tuesday, with an alternative source suggesting Thursday as a potential date.

The ratification by Türkiye would leave Hungary as the final holdout in the accession process that Sweden and Finland initiated in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine nearly two years ago.

Finland joined as the 31st member of the US-led defense alliance last April, significantly extending NATO’s border with Russia and bolstering the defenses of Baltic nations that joined the bloc after the Soviet Union’s collapse.

During the Cold War, Sweden and Finland pursued a policy of military non-alignment, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a shift. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s initial resistance to Sweden’s NATO accession was influenced by concerns about Stockholm’s allowance and indifference of PKK supporters, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the U.S, and the EU.

Sweden responded to these concerns by tightening its anti-terrorism legislation and implementing additional security measures. Despite the approval of the Swedish bid by the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee last month, Erdogan has raised new demands, including the delivery of a batch of F-16 fighter jets pledged by the United States for Türkiye’s air force.

Erdogan’s objections, previously focused on terrorist groups, now encompass broader issues, including demands related to US-Türkiye relations and Ankara’s stance on Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip. During a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden last month, Erdogan reiterated these demands.

US officials argue that congressional approval for Türkiye’s request could be more achievable if Sweden’s NATO accession proceeds, a sentiment reaffirmed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to Istanbul.

Amidst these developments, Turkish media speculates on the possibility of Russian President Vladimir Putin making his first wartime visit to Türkiye next month, underscoring Erdogan’s nuanced stance toward Moscow, balancing diplomatic ties with both Russia and Western allies.

Source: Newsroom