BRUSSELS (AFP) — Efforts to address President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s concerns regarding Sweden’s accession to NATO are underway, with some progress made during talks between the two countries. However, significant differences still exist, and leaders from both nations are scheduled to meet next week to discuss these remaining issues. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg provided an update on Thursday, stating that he, Erdogan, and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson will hold discussions in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Monday, just before the upcoming NATO summit.
Initially, NATO had hoped to resolve the problems prior to the summit scheduled for July 11-12 in Lithuania. Sweden’s inclusion would have been a significant symbolic moment, indicating that countries are increasingly joining the alliance due to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. However, these hopes have been dampened.
Stoltenberg addressed reporters after the meeting and expressed that progress had been made. All parties agreed that Sweden’s full membership was in the security interests of all NATO allies, emphasizing the urgency to conclude the process as soon as possible. However, unresolved issues remain, and efforts are being made to address them over the weekend.
Sweden and Finland deviated from their longstanding policy of military nonalignment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and applied for NATO membership due to security concerns. Among the 31 NATO members, only Turkey and Hungary have delayed Sweden’s accession. The other 29 allies, along with Stoltenberg and Sweden itself, have maintained that Sweden has fulfilled Turkey’s demands. Sweden has made constitutional changes, amended anti-terrorism laws, and lifted its arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.
However, Turkey accuses Sweden of being too lenient towards groups it considers security threats, including Kurdish militants and individuals associated with the failed coup attempt in 2016. NATO expansion requires unanimous approval from all members.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan acknowledged the legislative changes made by Sweden but stressed the need for practical implementation. He also expressed concern over demonstrations taking place in Sweden.
Before the meeting, a Turkish man in Sweden was found guilty of attempted aggravated extortion, weapons possession, and attempted terrorist financing, claiming to act on behalf of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The Stockholm District Court sentenced him to 4½ years in prison, after which he will be expelled and banned from returning to Sweden. This marks the first time a Swedish court has sentenced someone for financing the PKK, an organization deemed terrorist by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The impact of this court action on Erdogan’s stance remains uncertain.
While Hungary has not publicly stated its concerns, it has also delayed Sweden’s candidacy. NATO officials anticipate that Hungary will follow Turkey’s lead once Turkey lifts its objections.
During a recent European Union summit, Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson confirmed that Hungary will not further delay Sweden’s accession. However, the situation with Turkey is different. A Quran-burning protest outside a Stockholm mosque has increased tensions. Although the protest was attended by few individuals, it drew significant media attention. The police allowed the demonstration, citing freedom of speech, after a court overturned a previous ban on Quran burning. Erdogan criticized Sweden for permitting the protest, and Turkish defense ministry spokesman Zeki Akturk condemned the act as an attack on their sacred values.
Erdogan had previously criticized Sweden during election campaigns in May. NATO officials had hoped he would soften his stance after his reelection. Erdogan is also seeking upgraded F-16 fighter jets from the United States, with President Biden suggesting that Sweden’s NATO membership should be endorsed first.
When asked about Turkey’s expectations from Sweden, Stoltenberg acknowledged that he understood President Erdogan’s requests, as they had discussed them in detailSweden and Turkey Make Progress in Talks on Sweden’s NATO Membership
Brussels (AP) – The discussions between Sweden and Turkey regarding Sweden’s inclusion in NATO have shown signs of progress, although significant gaps in their positions still exist. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced on Thursday that their leaders will convene next week to address these remaining differences. The aim is to bridge the gap ahead of the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania, which had initially been anticipated as a pivotal moment symbolizing Russia’s impact on countries’ decisions to join the alliance. However, recent developments have tempered these expectations.
Following the meeting, Stoltenberg informed reporters that he, along with President Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, will engage in talks in Vilnius, Lithuania, on the eve of the summit to work towards resolving the outstanding issues. All parties involved agreed on the positive progress made thus far and affirmed that Sweden’s full membership is in the security interests of all NATO allies. They expressed the mutual desire to conclude the process as soon as possible. Nonetheless, there are still unresolved matters that necessitate further attention over the weekend.
The concerns of President Erdogan have been the primary obstacle to Sweden’s NATO membership. Only Turkey and Hungary have delayed Sweden’s accession, while the other 29 allies, as well as Stoltenberg and Sweden, believe that Sweden has satisfied Turkey’s requirements. Sweden has taken significant steps, including constitutional amendments, modifications to anti-terrorism laws, and the lifting of an arms embargo on Turkey, among other concessions.
Turkey, however, accuses Sweden of being too lenient towards groups it considers security threats, such as Kurdish militant organizations and individuals associated with the failed 2016 coup attempt. NATO’s expansion requires unanimous approval from all 31 members.
Acknowledging the legislative changes made by Sweden, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized the need for practical implementation. Fidan also expressed concerns regarding demonstrations occurring in Sweden.
In a recent development just prior to the meeting, a Turkish citizen residing in Sweden was found guilty of attempted aggravated extortion, possession of weapons, and attempted terrorist financing. The individual claimed to act on behalf of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group considered a terrorist organization by Turkey, the United States, and the European Union. The Stockholm District Court sentenced the individual to 4½ years in prison, after which they will be expelled from Sweden and prohibited from returning. This marks the first time that a Swedish court has imposed such a sentence for financing the PKK. The impact of this court decision on President Erdogan’s position remains uncertain.
While Hungary has not publicly articulated its concerns, it has also delayed Sweden’s NATO candidacy. NATO officials anticipate that Hungary will follow Turkey’s lead once Turkey withdraws its objections.
During a recent European Union summit, Prime Minister Kristersson confirmed that Hungary would not further impede Sweden’s accession. However, the situation with Turkey differs. Tensions escalated following a Quran-burning demonstration outside a mosque in Stockholm. Although the number of participants was small, the event garnered significant media coverage. Swedish authorities allowed the protest, citing freedom of speech, after a court overturned a previous ban on Quran burning. President Erdogan criticized Sweden for permitting the demonstration, and a spokesperson for the Turkish defense ministry condemned the act as an assault on their sacred values.
President Erdogan had previously criticized Sweden during election campaigns in May. NATO officials had hoped that he would soften his stance following his re-election. Notably, Erdogan is also seeking upgraded F-16 fighter jets from the United States, with President Biden suggesting that Sweden’s NATO membership should be endorsed before proceeding.
When asked about Turkey’s expectations from Sweden, Stoltenberg acknowledged that he comprehended President Erdogan’s demands, as they had previously engaged in detailed discussions on the matter.
