Sweden’s NATO Membership Inches Forward as Turkey Reconsiders Objection
Image Source: Axios
In a significant development, Sweden’s long-paused bid for NATO membership has moved a step closer as the Turkish parliament gears up to discuss the Scandinavian nation’s entry into the Western alliance bloc on Thursday, November 16, 2023.
Sweden’s aspirations for NATO membership had hit a roadblock due to objections raised by Turkey, citing various concerns. Ankara had accused Sweden of housing Kurdish militants and blamed them for instigating a failed coup in 2016, along with citing anti-Quran attacks and demonstrations by the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
However, in a notable shift, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan retracted his objection to Sweden’s NATO membership back in July. This month, he took a significant step by submitting the accession protocol to the Turkish Parliament for ratification, indicating a potential reversal of Turkey’s stance.
Erdogan’s shift in stance came after Sweden pledged enhanced collaboration with Ankara in counterterrorism efforts. Additionally, Sweden’s support for Turkey’s aspirations to join the European Union played a pivotal role in the recent developments regarding NATO membership.
Previously, Erdogan had explicitly linked Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO entry to reciprocal acceptance into the European alliance. This shift in Turkey’s position marks a crucial turn in the dynamics between the two nations.
The speaker of the Turkish parliament, Nurman Kutulmus, conveyed hopes for a swift finalization of the process during discussions with his Swedish counterpart, Andreas Nolan. Emphasizing the urgency, he expressed the aspiration for a prompt conclusion to the deliberations on Sweden’s NATO membership.
The forthcoming discussions in the Turkish parliament hold the promise of potential resolution and an essential milestone in Sweden’s pursuit of NATO membership. This re-evaluation by Turkey signals a possible thaw in the tensions that had impeded Sweden’s aspirations, marking a significant diplomatic shift between the two nations.
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- Harshit Tokas is a Political Science and International Affairs Post-Graduate with a passion for understanding and analyzing complex political landscapes. Skilled in research, data analysis, and policy development. Eager to contribute his knowledge and insights to drive positive change.
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