An important step towards bolstering Western military alliance as Sweden inches closer to NATO membership
The Turkish parliament has granted its anticipated approval for Sweden’s membership in NATO, marking a crucial milestone in the Nordic country’s journey towards joining the Western military alliance. After months of deliberation, 287 out of 346 Members of Parliament voted in favor of ratifying the bill late on Tuesday night, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan expected to officially sign it into law in the coming days.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson swiftly responded to the news, expressing optimism about the country’s progress towards becoming a full-fledged member of NATO. “Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO. Positive that the Grand General Assembly of Türkiye has voted in favor of Sweden’s NATO accession,” he stated.
Tobias Billström, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, acknowledged the positive outcome but emphasized that the government awaits the formal signing of the ratification by the Turkish president. “Of course, we are not finished with the process until it has happened on the Turkish side,” he noted during an interview with Swedish broadcaster SVT.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the vote, expressing anticipation for Hungary to ratify Sweden’s membership “as soon as possible.” He emphasized, “Sweden’s membership makes NATO stronger and us all safer.”
As it stands, Hungary remains the sole country yet to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hinted at progress earlier in the day by inviting Kristersson for negotiations on the matter. In a letter, Orbán wrote, “I believe that a more intensive dialogue could contribute to reinforcing trust between our countries and institutions thus allowing us to further strengthen our political and security arrangements.”
Reacting to the invitation, Kristersson’s spokesperson refrained from commenting, while Billström emphasized the need for careful consideration before responding to Orbán’s letter.
Sweden formally applied to join NATO in May 2022, alongside Finland, in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of the same year. The delay in the process was primarily attributed to objections raised by Turkey and Hungary, both of which maintain more amicable relations with Russia than some other NATO members.
Notably, Sweden has already taken steps towards NATO integration, having signed a deal with the US granting full access to 17 of its military bases.
Paul Levin, the director of the Stockholm University Institute for Turkish Studies, highlighted the significance of Sweden’s NATO membership for the Nordic country. However, he cautioned that the contentious negotiations with Turkey might have a lasting impact on bilateral relations.
“This has been a trying time for relations between Turkey and Sweden, and while it will be good to have it behind us, I suspect that the acrimonious process has done lasting damage to the relationship,” Levin remarked.
The Swedish Turkish community also appears divided over the issue, with concerns raised by Kurdish Swedes about the potential impact on Sweden’s stance regarding the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). On the other hand, some Turkish Swedes welcome what they perceive as Sweden taking a tougher stance on the PKK.
While Hungary’s government submitted the ratification of Sweden’s NATO application to parliament in 2022, a final vote has been repeatedly delayed. The outcome now rests in the hands of Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who maintains a tight grip on the ruling Fidesz party.
As a senior European diplomat emphasized, the swift resolution of this matter is crucial, with signals suggesting that all remaining NATO allies understand the importance of having Sweden as a member at the earliest. The diplomat further noted that Turkey, more than Hungary, is looking for specific gains in this diplomatic game. The situation remains fluid, but hopes are high for Sweden’s full integration into NATO in the near future.
