The Turkish government has officially submitted Sweden’s NATO accession bid to the country’s parliament for ratification. This move, which ends months of uncertainty, marks a significant development in Sweden’s pursuit of NATO membership.
A Long-Awaited Step
The Protocol on Sweden’s NATO Accession was signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 23, 2023, and has now been forwarded to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey for approval. The Turkish presidency announced this decision, putting an end to the speculation about potential delays in the process.
Swedish Prime Minister’s Response
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson expressed his appreciation for this step. He welcomed President Erdoğan’s signing of Sweden’s ratification protocol for NATO and its submission to the Turkish parliament. The prime minister’s office highlighted that the parliamentary procedures would now commence, expressing Sweden’s eagerness to become a NATO member.
Historical Blockade Lifted
Turkey has previously blocked Sweden’s NATO bid, citing concerns related to opposition groups based in Sweden, which the Turkish government considers to be “terrorists.” This has been a longstanding issue that hindered Sweden’s accession to the alliance.
However, in July, a breakthrough occurred when President Erdoğan agreed to send Sweden’s NATO bid to the Turkish parliament. This agreement was facilitated by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Since then, the matter has been under consideration by Turkish lawmakers.
Remaining Uncertainties
The exact timeline for the ratification process within the Turkish parliament remains uncertain. Some Turkish parliamentarians have recently revived calls for additional “anti-terrorism” measures in Sweden. These developments will be closely monitored in the coming weeks.
It is worth noting that both Sweden and Finland submitted their NATO membership applications in May 2022, departing from their traditional nonalignment stance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland has already become a NATO member, while Sweden’s bid faced delays in Turkey and Hungary.
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