Ten Requirements
As discussions continue about Finland and Sweden joining NATO, Turkey remains firm that it will not accept members tied to groups it designates as terrorist organizations. This stance was reported by the publication Yeni Safaq.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described a persistent reluctance to address Turkey’s concerns about terrorist ties from proposing countries as a basis for Turkey’s decisive position on enlargement. The report notes that Ankara has laid out ten prerequisites for Sweden and Finland to have their NATO veto lifted.
According to the newspaper, Turkey offered support to both nations in their efforts against terrorism, naming groups such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front, and the Fethullah Gülen movement (FETÖ) and its affiliates.
Regarding the second condition, the report states that Sweden and Finland, seen as supporters of terrorist organizations, should build the necessary legal norms and infrastructure to combat terrorism.
Under Ankara’s terms, both Scandinavian countries must address attempts to close or open PKK-linked offices that operate within their borders to remove the NATO veto. They must also prevent FETÖ from operating in either country and shut down related websites and media outlets.
Turkey called for the freezing of terrorism-related assets and associated groups, and placed special emphasis on the deportation and extradition of individuals tied to terrorism by Sweden and Finland.
The publication added that demonstrations by terrorist organizations such as the PKK and the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front are not allowed. It also asked the two states to share intelligence with Ankara and to lift restrictions on defense industry cooperation with Turkey. The tenth condition requires Sweden and Finland to fulfill the first nine prerequisites if they join NATO.
Sweden and Finland in NATO
In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland submitted formal applications to join the North Atlantic Alliance on May 18, presenting them to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Turkey vetoed the commencement of formal negotiations, with Erdogan asserting that Ankara could not approve Sweden and Finland’s membership due to concerns over assurances about relations with PKK representatives, a group banned in Turkey.
Speaking to the public on May 23, Erdogan indicated that Sweden and Finland would strive to join NATO if the two countries adjust their positions on issues linked to Ankara. He added that those who support and shield terrorists should reconsider their unlawful stance toward Turkey.
The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized the decision by Sweden and Finland to pursue NATO membership, warning that the security of those nations would not be guaranteed by the move.
On May 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin described NATO enlargement as artificial, suggesting it serves U.S. interests. The previous day, NATO Deputy Secretary General Camille Grand stated that NATO cannot guarantee that Russia would refrain from deploying nuclear weapons on Finnish or Swedish soil if they join the alliance, noting that each country makes its own choice on such weapons. When RTS TV asked whether NATO anticipates a military response or show of force from Russia if Sweden and Finland join, Grand replied that Moscow has said such measures are unnecessary. He concluded that Finland and Sweden appear focused on defending themselves rather than provoking a confrontation with Russia.
Citation: Analysts note the evolving dynamics surrounding NATO enlargement and regional security considerations in Europe. (Citation: Security analysis brief, attribution)