Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has announced his support for Sweden’s bid to join NATO, marking a significant breakthrough in their relationship. The decision came after talks between Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg in Vilnius. Turkey, as a NATO member, holds the power to veto any new country’s accession. Previously, Turkey had been blocking Sweden’s application, accusing it of harboring Kurdish militants. However, following assurances regarding security concerns, Turkey will now forward Sweden’s bid to its parliament for ratification.
The agreement between Turkey and Sweden is being hailed as a historic step towards expanding NATO’s membership. The news was met with approval by world leaders, with US President Joe Biden expressing his readiness to work with Turkey on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock emphasized the importance of unity, while British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that Sweden’s inclusion would contribute to the overall safety of NATO members. The specifics of when Sweden will officially join the alliance remain uncertain, as it depends on the Turkish parliament’s decision.
This development also has implications for Turkey’s relationship with the European Union (EU). While NATO and EU membership are separate issues, NATO stated that Sweden will actively support efforts to “reinvigorate Turkey’s EU accession process.” This includes working on modernizing the EU-Turkey customs union and visa liberalization. Turkey has sought EU membership since 1987 but faced obstacles due to concerns over its drift towards authoritarianism. The recent collaboration with NATO and its role in mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative have helped Turkey maintain influence and navigate complex geopolitical dynamics.
The announcement of Turkey’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership comes ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, where Ukraine’s bid for membership will be a key topic of discussion. Ukraine’s potential membership is a sensitive matter, given the ongoing conflict with Russia. Although all NATO members agree that Ukraine cannot join during the war, President Volodymyr Zelensky hopes the summit will provide a clear signal of support. While some Eastern European members are pushing for fast-track membership, countries like the US and Germany are more cautious, considering the potential repercussions on regional stability and relations with Russia.
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