Sweden's Nato accession: Allies increase pressure on Turkey
In France's view, the delays in Sweden's admission to NATO could have serious consequences. "The strength and credibility of our alliance is at stake here," warned French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels. Turkey and Hungary were expected to agree to Sweden's accession to the alliance without delay. "Not another day must be lost", she demanded.
The meeting today and tomorrow was actually intended to celebrate Sweden's accession. However, Turkey has not yet completed the ratification of the so-called accession protocol. Hungary has also not yet done so, but has recently repeatedly promised that it will not be the last NATO country to give its consent to Sweden's accession.
"Sweden has delivered"
In addition to Colonna, Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and representatives of countries such as Finland also expressed their frustration with the situation at the meeting. "I had hoped that Sweden would fully join Nato by the time of this meeting," said Stoltenberg, making it clear that, in his view, the government in Stockholm had fulfilled all the concessions demanded by Turkey. "Sweden has delivered. They are working more closely with Turkey in the fight against the PKK and terrorist groups," said Stoltenberg. He therefore now expects Turkey to comply with the agreements and complete the ratification process.
Sweden had applied for NATO membership in May 2022 under the impression of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and had originally hoped to join in the summer of 2022. However, Turkey then accused Sweden's policy of lacking commitment against "terrorist organizations" such as the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK) and refused to give its consent. Following concessions by Sweden, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that he would allow the Turkish parliament to ratify the so-called accession protocol. However, it is currently stuck in a committee there.
- France's Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna asserted that the delay in Sweden's admission into NATO could potentially undermine the alliance's strength and credibility, voicing her concerns during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.
- In light of Turkey's yet-to-be-completed ratification of the accession protocol and Hungary's delayed approval, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, expressed his frustration at the meeting and urged Turkey to honor the agreements and finalize the ratification process, acknowledging that Sweden has fulfilled its commitments in regards to cooperating more closely with Turkey in combating terrorist organizations like the PKK.
- As Sweden had originally aimed to join NATO by the summer of 2022 following Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the diplomatic efforts and military negotiations between Sweden and NATO allies, particularly Turkey, have significantly extended the process of joining NATO, requiring diplomatic and military strategies to ensure Sweden's eventual integration into the alliance.
Source: www.dpa.com
