Turkey’s parliament should begin to ratify Sweden’s bid to join NATO because Stockholm has now met its obligations under an accord with Ankara on joining the Western military alliance, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday.
The statement came amidst mounting tensions and disagreements between the two countries, particularly concerning security concerns and anti-Turkey protests.
The decision of Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership last year marked a notable shift in their long-standing military non-alignment policies. The move came in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which raised concerns about regional security. While Finland successfully joined NATO in April, Sweden faced obstacles due to Turkey’s objection to its membership, citing security concerns.
Ankara has consistently claimed that Sweden harbors members of militant groups considered to be terrorists, which has further complicated the negotiations. The Turkish government demanded that Sweden take strong measures against anti-Turkey protests taking place in Stockholm before granting approval for its NATO membership. Recent incidents in Stockholm, including the display of an effigy of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and the waving of flags supporting the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), have fueled Turkey’s concerns.
Speaking to Reuters on the sidelines of a parliamentary meeting, Foreign Minister Billstrom expressed confidence that Sweden had met all the expectations placed on it and was eager to move forward. He stated, “Our judgment is that we have done what was expected of us, now it is time for the Turkish parliament to start the ratification process.” Billstrom also expressed hope that Sweden’s membership could be approved in time for the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius in mid-July, emphasizing that there was no alternative plan in place.
In response to Turkey’s security concerns, Sweden recently introduced new legislation aimed at making it more challenging to finance or support terrorist groups. The Swedish government contends that this law fulfills its commitments under the agreement signed with Turkey in Madrid. However, Ankara remains unconvinced and maintains its stance on blocking Sweden’s NATO membership.
The issue of ratification extends beyond Turkey, as Hungary also has yet to endorse Sweden’s bid. The Hungarian government’s decision to ratify will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of Sweden’s NATO membership aspirations.
Regarding the ongoing anti-Turkey protests in Stockholm, Billstrom acknowledged the constitutional right to demonstrate but stressed the importance of appropriate conduct. He stated, “The freedom to demonstrate is enshrined in the constitution. But we have also said that something that is legal is not always proper.”
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