Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to submit Sweden’s bid to join the Nato military alliance to parliament, according to Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg made the announcement on the eve of a NATO summit in Vilnius, stating that President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the grand national assembly as soon as possible. Stoltenberg also expressed his intention to work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification. However, he did not provide a specific date for when Sweden’s accession would be ratified by the Turkish parliament.

Last year, both Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO, abandoning their policies of military non-alignment that had been in place during the Cold War. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia reshaped security considerations, prompting these countries to seek NATO membership. While Finland’s application was approved in April, Sweden’s bid has faced delays due to Turkey and Hungary withholding their approval. Sweden, along with the United States and its allies, has been actively advocating for its bid ahead of the NATO summit in Vilnius, urging Turkey to drop its opposition.

President Erdogan has cited concerns about Sweden harboring members of militant groups, particularly supporters of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). He accuses them of organizing demonstrations and financing terrorist groups. Additionally, anti-Turkish protests in Stockholm have further fueled his objections. On the other hand, Sweden has stated that it has met all the demands agreed upon in negotiations with Turkey, including passing a new law that criminalizes membership in a terrorist organization. Sweden has also emphasized the protection of freedom of speech in its constitution.

In a positive development, the chief of staff for Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary would not block Sweden’s NATO membership ratification. This statement indicates a potential shift in Hungary’s stance on the matter.

In conclusion, Turkish President Erdogan has agreed to forward Sweden’s bid to join NATO to the Turkish parliament. The exact timing of the ratification is yet to be determined. Sweden and Finland’s applications to join NATO reflect a departure from their previous policies of military non-alignment. While Sweden’s bid has faced opposition from Turkey and Hungary, efforts are being made to persuade Turkey to support Sweden’s accession. Both sides have raised concerns and made assurances regarding issues such as the presence of militant groups and the protection of freedom of speech. Hungary’s recent statement suggests a more favorable outlook for Sweden’s NATO membership ratification.

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