Ankara has expressed its dissatisfaction with Sweden’s progress in supporting its application to join NATO, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In a phone call with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, Erdoğan highlighted that while Sweden has made some changes in its anti-terrorism legislation, pro-Kurdish groups, including the banned PKK and YPG, continue to hold demonstrations in the country. Erdoğan argued that these actions nullify the steps taken by Sweden towards NATO membership.
The phone call took place ahead of a two-day summit of NATO leaders in Lithuania, which begins on Tuesday. Biden has expressed his support for Sweden’s bid to join the defense alliance and hopes to reach a deal on the matter during the summit in Vilnius.
Erdoğan’s administration has been blocking Sweden’s aspirations to join NATO, accusing Stockholm of supporting Kurdish separatism. However, Erdoğan previously gave the green light to Finland’s application, and the country became a NATO member in April.
During the call, Erdoğan and Biden also discussed the potential sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Erdoğan emphasized that Ankara’s request for the aircraft should not be associated with Sweden’s NATO membership bid.
Additionally, Erdoğan raised Turkey’s desire to revive the EU membership process. He called for EU member states to send a clear and strong message in support of Turkey’s EU bid at the NATO summit in Lithuania. Turkey has been a candidate for full EU membership since 1999, but talks have stalled in recent years due to a lack of commitment from Turkey to meet the necessary reform criteria set by Brussels.
Erdoğan and Biden agreed to meet face-to-face in Vilnius to discuss Turkey-US bilateral relations and regional issues in detail.
What implications does Turkey’s desire to revive the EU membership process have on Turkey’s involvement in the NATO summit in Lithuania
Ankara has voiced its dissatisfaction with Sweden’s progress in supporting its NATO membership application, according to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. In a phone call with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, Erdoğan highlighted that although Sweden has made some changes in its anti-terrorism legislation, pro-Kurdish groups, including the banned PKK and YPG, continue to hold demonstrations in the country. Erdoğan argued that these actions undermine Sweden’s steps towards NATO membership.
The phone call occurred ahead of a two-day summit of NATO leaders in Lithuania, which commences on Tuesday. Biden has shown his support for Sweden’s bid to join the defense alliance and aims to reach an agreement on the matter during the summit in Vilnius.
Erdoğan’s administration has been obstructing Sweden’s aspirations to join NATO, accusing Stockholm of supporting Kurdish separatism. However, Erdoğan previously approved Finland’s application, and the country became a NATO member in April.
During their conversation, Erdoğan and Biden also discussed the potential sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. Erdoğan emphasized that Ankara’s request for the aircraft should not be connected to Sweden’s NATO membership bid.
Furthermore, Erdoğan raised Turkey’s desire to revive the EU membership process. He called on EU member states to send a clear and strong message in support of Turkey’s EU bid at the NATO summit in Lithuania. Turkey has been a candidate for full EU membership since 1999, but talks have stagnated in recent years due to Turkey’s inadequate commitment to meeting the reform criteria set by Brussels.
Erdoğan and Biden agreed to meet face-to-face in Vilnius to delve into Turkey-US bilateral relations and regional issues in detail.
Turkey’s concerns about Sweden’s NATO application, as highlighted in this article, underscore the importance of addressing potential drawbacks and ensuring progress is achieved. Open dialogue and collaboration between Turkey and NATO allies will be crucial in addressing these concerns and moving forward together effectively.
It is crucial for President Biden to heed Turkey’s warning about Sweden’s insufficient progress in its NATO application. Ensuring the alliance remains strong and united must be prioritized, and thorough evaluation of any potential new members is essential for effective cooperation.