In a significant development on the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden’s bid to join the NATO military alliance to the Turkish parliament, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. The announcement comes after a prolonged period of Turkish opposition and demands, marking a positive turn of events for Sweden’s membership prospects. The move demonstrates a willingness to address concerns and foster cooperation between the two nations, while also highlighting the ongoing efforts to strengthen NATO’s collective defense capabilities.
Speaking at a news conference in Vilnius, Secretary-General Stoltenberg announced President Erdogan’s decision, stating, “I’m glad to announce … that President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible, and work closely with the Assembly to ensure ratification.” This breakthrough represents a significant departure from Erdogan’s previous stance, where he had linked Sweden’s NATO accession to Turkey’s acceptance into the European Union.
While President Erdogan’s agreement marks a momentous step forward, the exact timeline for Sweden’s accession to NATO remains uncertain. Secretary-General Stoltenberg did not provide a specific date for when the Turkish parliament, the Grand National Assembly, would ratify Sweden’s membership. Additionally, Hungary’s ratification is still pending, although Stoltenberg stated that Hungary had indicated it would not be the last country to approve Sweden’s bid. The process of obtaining unanimous approval from all NATO members is crucial for Sweden’s full integration into the alliance.
Turkey had previously raised concerns regarding Sweden’s alleged harboring of members from recognized Kurdish terrorist groups, particularly the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). However, efforts were made to address these concerns through negotiations. Secretary-General Stoltenberg noted that Sweden had taken significant steps to alleviate Turkey’s security concerns, including amending its constitution, introducing legislation criminalizing membership in terrorist organizations, and enhancing counter-terrorism cooperation against the PKK.
In their meeting, President Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson agreed to continue collaboration on counter-terrorism efforts. NATO will establish a new role, the Special Coordinator for Counter-Terrorism, to further strengthen counter-terrorism initiatives. The two countries also pledged to boost economic cooperation. Moreover, Sweden expressed its active support for reinvigorating Turkey’s EU accession process.
US President Joe Biden welcomed President Erdogan’s commitment to advance Sweden’s NATO accession bid, expressing readiness to work with Turkey to enhance defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. The United States played a key role in exerting pressure and encouraging progress in the lead-up to the NATO summit. Top US officials engaged in talks with their Turkish counterparts, emphasizing the importance of Sweden’s membership for strengthening NATO’s military capacity.
President Erdogan’s agreement to advance Sweden’s NATO accession bid to the Turkish parliament signifies a positive shift in the country’s position and paves the way for potential Swedish membership in the alliance. While the exact timeline for ratification remains uncertain, the progress made at the NATO summit reflects ongoing efforts to address security concerns and foster cooperation among NATO member states. Sweden’s prospective NATO membership, supported by international collaboration and commitment, represents a significant step forward in strengthening collective defense and promoting stability in the Euro-Atlantic region.
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