In an unexpected turn of events, the Turkish parliamentary committee is set to resume discussions on Sweden's NATO membership application next week. This puts the ratification of Sweden's bid back on the agenda, marking a significant development in a country that has been a key holdout in the process.
The Foreign Affairs Committee in Ankara has listed Sweden's application as one of the topics for debate on December 26th. This decision, as stated in an invitation from the committee's chairman, Fuat Oktay, signals a potential shift in Turkey's stance towards Sweden's NATO membership.
The renewed discussions come in the wake of a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during which Sweden's application was reportedly brought up. The White House has emphasized the importance of swiftly welcoming Sweden into NATO.
In fact, during the phone call, President Biden allegedly assured President Erdogan that he would seek congressional approval for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey if Turkish lawmakers give their consent to Sweden's accession to NATO. This demonstrates the significance attached to Sweden's application by both the US and Turkey.
However, previous discussions on Sweden's NATO bid were postponed by the Foreign Affairs Committee, which sought a written anti-terrorism roadmap from Sweden. The committee insisted on stronger measures being taken against separatist Kurdish militants, whom Turkey views as terrorists. Sweden, on the other hand, maintains that it meets all the criteria for NATO membership and has made efforts to address Turkey's concerns, including the lifting of an arms embargo and tightening anti-terror laws.
Turkey and Hungary have been the primary obstacles to NATO's northern enlargement. While Finland, another country affected by Russia's aggression in Ukraine, managed to join the alliance in April after all member countries ratified its entry, Turkey and Hungary have impeded progress. However, with Turkey now revisiting Sweden's NATO application, the dynamics of this particular roadblock may be shifting.
The upcoming discussions in the Foreign Affairs Committee will play a pivotal role in determining the fate of Sweden's NATO membership bid. If the committee endorses the application, it will pave the way for a floor vote. Should Sweden's entry into NATO be ratified, it would mark a significant milestone for both Sweden and the alliance, potentially reshaping the strategic landscape in Northern Europe.