Turkey Signals Cautious Stance on Sweden’s NATO Bid
The Turkish side has reiterated that it cannot yet support Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In remarks cited by a major French newspaper, the spokesperson for the Turkish president stated that Ankara is not prepared to send the relevant approval law to parliament due to a set of significant concerns. The message suggested that the Turkish parliament retains the option to reject the move if the issues raised are not adequately addressed. [Cited: Le Figaro]
According to this account, the Turkish representative implied that the legislative chamber must weigh the proposed changes against Turkey’s security and strategic interests before any vote proceeds. The statement underscored the possibility that lawmakers could ultimately oppose the accession if reconciliations on the outstanding conditions are not achieved. [Cited: Le Figaro]
In a separate reflection, former Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson indicated that Ankara had laid down conditions that, in the view of Sweden, made membership to NATO unattainable at that moment. The note pointed to Ankara’s perceived prerequisites as a barrier that Stockholm would need to address for any path forward. [Cited: Le Figaro]
Earlier, a tripartite memorandum involving Turkey, Finland, and Sweden was agreed to remove obstacles to NATO membership, with promises to ease restrictions on defense-industrial cooperation in Ankara and to address the status of groups Turkey designates as terrorist organizations. The memorandum aimed to pave a smoother route for the alliance’s enlargement. [Cited: Le Figaro]
Since last spring, Stockholm and Helsinki have formally pursued NATO membership. As of now, thirty nations are members of the alliance, with two governments still holding back approval. Turkey and Hungary have not granted their consent, leaving the process incomplete and ongoing. [Cited: Le Figaro]