As far as Turkey is concerned, Sweden may become a member of NATO if Turkey is allowed to join the European Union. That is what Turkish President Erdogan said before he left for the NATO summit in Vilnius. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg and the EU dismiss Turkey’s demand.
Sweden has met the Turkish conditions, says Stoltenberg. He believes that the country therefore deserves to be allowed to join NATO. According to him, Turkey should not only have an eye for its own wishes, however justified they may be. Other NATO allies would like to see Sweden join as soon as possible. It would make the defense of Finland and the Baltic countries much easier.
The European Commission also does not want to link Turkey’s accession to the EU with Sweden’s accession to NATO. Those are “separate” cases, says a spokesman.
Erdogan said the EU should start serious talks with Turkey about full membership. Turkey has been trying to become a member of the EU or the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor of the EU, since 1987, but so far without success.
If Turkey can join the EU, the Turkish parliament can agree to Swedish NATO membership, Erdogan said. Earlier he already set conditions about Swedish policy towards supporters of the Kurdish Workers’ Party PKK. Erdogan labels them terrorists. PKK supporters would be welcome in Sweden. The PKK has also been designated a terrorist organization by the EU.
Stoltenberg still sees “a positive decision about Sweden in Vilnius” as a possibility, he said at the reception by the Lithuanian president. There will be a Turkish-Swedish summit meeting later on Monday. A two-day NATO summit begins in Vilnius on Tuesday.
2023-07-10 16:45:05
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