NATO Membership Beckons: Sweden Inches Closer as Erdogan Submits Accession Protocol to Turkish Parliament
Sweden takes a significant stride towards NATO membership as Erdogan submits accession protocols to the Turkish parliament, bringing them closer to the alliance
Sweden moved closer to joining NATO on Monday as Turkey's president sent the accession protocols to parliament. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia led both Sweden and Finland to pursue NATO membership, but Sweden's progress had been hindered by Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's approval of the accession protocols follows a series of delays, although the duration of the process remains uncertain. The proposal put forth by Erdogan must undergo review by a parliamentary commission before being subjected to a general vote on the main floor of the assembly. Given that the Turkish president and his allies hold the majority necessary to ratify Sweden's bid, the outcome seems favorable.
Finland, alongside Sweden, submitted its membership application in May 2022 and officially became part of NATO in April 2023. Erdogan criticized Sweden for being excessively accommodating towards militant organizations, particularly the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), and providing shelter to individuals linked to the 2016 Turkish coup plot.
Turkish officials have also alleged that Swedish authorities are involved in Islamophobic protests, including incidents of Quran burning.
Following their application for membership, Sweden has further strengthened their anti-terror laws and has agreed to collaborate more closely with Turkey regarding security matters.
On Monday, the United States welcomed the news that Erdogan had signed and submitted Sweden's NATO accession protocols to the Turkish parliament. This development is significant as it represents a major shift in Erdogan's previous stance, where he had implied that Sweden's membership in the alliance could only be considered once Turkey was admitted into the European Union.
State Department spokesperson Matt Miller expressed the long-standing call for ratifying Sweden's accession. He further expressed anticipation for the bill's deliberation in the Turkish parliament, emphasizing the need for prompt passage during a department briefing.
Erdogan's actions signify progress in Sweden's pursuit to join NATO, although it does not guarantee immediate membership. Similarly, Hungary has not yet voted in favor of approving Sweden's membership. In September, Reuters reported that Hungary's Prime Minister expressed a lack of urgency in supporting Sweden's bid.
