BRUSSELS (VG) It is increasingly likely that Finland’s NATO membership may be approved by the Turkish parliament this spring, while Sweden’s application may be put on hold. Jens Stoltenberg confirms to VG that it can happen.
– It could be in the cards, a central source in the circle of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told VG on Wednesday afternoon.
The person does not want to be named because the process in the Turkish parliament has not been finalized.
If Turkey lets Finland in first, Finland will become a full member of NATO, before the formalities for Sweden are in place.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also opens up this possibility on Wednesday:
– I believe that the most important thing is that they become members as soon as possible, not necessarily that it happens at the same time, says Stoltenberg to VG on Wednesday afternoon.
He adds that it is up to Turkey to decide whether the country they want to approve the membership for one of the countries, or for both.
But he is clear about what his view is, which he also expresses to Turkey:
– My message will be that Swedish and Finnish membership will strengthen the whole of NATO, and that Sweden and Finland have fulfilled their agreements, says Stoltenberg.
President Erdogan has recently stated that Turkey has less problems with the Finnish application than the Swedish one.
– Both are ready
According to Stoltenberg, NATO has made the formal decisions that open up membership for both countries:
– My view is that both are ready for membership. But it is a decision that Turkey must make, he said at a press conference on Wednesday.
On Thursday, NATO’s Secretary General will travel again to Turkey to meet Erdogan. He will again raise the membership issue, although the main purpose of the trip is to show support for Turkey after the earthquake 10 days ago.
Stoltenberg pointed out that the NATO countries have unanimously decided to invite the two Nordic countries in, this happened before the summer. He said that there are two separate applications, but Nato dealt with them as one:
– When Turkey and Hungary have ratified, the process is over. No new decisions are needed. The decision has been taken in NATO, said Stoltenberg.
Sending letters
The latest thing that happens is that Stoltenberg sends letters to the countries that have been approved for membership of all 30 countries, informing them that they are busy as members.
In addition, Sweden and Finland must formally accede through legislation in their parliaments. Both countries are preparing this now, and final decisions can be taken as early as early summer.
NATO will ensure that letters are sent immediately to Helsinki if Finland’s application is approved before Sweden’s, VG is told.
It will happen completely regardless of the expressed desire of both applicant countries to join NATO “hand in hand”.
Got insurances
If Sweden has to wait a few more months after Finland to get its formal membership in order, the country will still be covered by assurances of military assistance from NATO’s largest member state, the USA, and from other countries in the event the need arises, says a centrally located source in Nato to VG.
Norway and Denmark have also given assurances of military support to Sweden until membership is in place.
