In a significant development for international relations, Turkey’s parliament has finally approved Sweden’s NATO membership bid after a 20-month-long delay. The legislators voted in favor of Sweden’s accession protocol by a significant majority, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expected to sign the bill into law soon. This decision comes after Turkey had previously endorsed Finland’s membership bid but kept Sweden waiting, causing frustration among Ankara’s Western allies.
The ratification of Sweden’s NATO membership leaves Hungary as the only remaining holdout in the accession process that began in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine almost two years ago. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson for a visit to negotiate his country’s joining the military alliance.
Sweden’s NATO accession is a crucial step forward in strengthening the alliance. Finland became the 31st member of NATO last April, and the inclusion of Sweden further solidifies NATO’s border with Russia. Additionally, it enhances the defense capabilities of three small Baltic nations that joined NATO following the collapse of the Soviet Union.
During the Cold War, both Sweden and Finland pursued a policy of military non-alignment. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine disrupted geopolitical calculations, leading Sweden to seek NATO membership. Turkey’s initial resistance to Sweden’s bid was mainly due to concerns over Stockholm’s perceived acceptance of Kurdish groups viewed as “terrorists” by Ankara. In response, Sweden tightened its anti-terrorism legislation and took other security steps demanded by Erdogan.
Furthermore, Sweden and other NATO members, including Finland, Canada, and the Netherlands, made efforts to relax Turkey’s arms export policies. The Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee approved the Swedish bid last month, following Erdogan’s forwarding of the proposal in October. However, Erdogan also demanded that the US fulfill its pledge to deliver a batch of F-16 fighter jets for Turkey’s aging air force.
The US officials have argued that Turkey’s request for the fighter jets could gain the required congressional approval if Sweden’s NATO accession goes through. This position was reaffirmed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit to Istanbul. The US Department of State expressed its readiness for Sweden’s formal inclusion in the alliance, emphasizing that Sweden has met its commitments.
This development is significant not only for Sweden and NATO but also for Turkey’s stance towards Russia. While maintaining trade relations with Russia, Turkey has also been supplying Ukraine with essential arms. President Erdogan has even held regular meetings and phone conversations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Turkish media reports suggest that Putin may visit Turkey for the first time during wartime next month.
Overall, Turkey’s approval of Sweden’s NATO membership bid marks a positive step towards further strengthening the alliance and addressing security concerns in the region. It also highlights the evolving dynamics in Turkey’s relations with Russia and its commitment to NATO’s principles.
