{"id":16457,"date":"2023-07-12T10:34:25","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T07:34:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/?p=16457"},"modified":"2023-07-12T10:34:55","modified_gmt":"2023-07-12T07:34:55","slug":"turkey-agrees-to-back-swedens-nato-membership-as-alliance-leaders-gather-in-vilnius","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/turkey-agrees-to-back-swedens-nato-membership-as-alliance-leaders-gather-in-vilnius\/","title":{"rendered":"Turkey agrees to back Sweden\u2019s NATO membership as alliance leaders gather in Vilnius"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>In a major development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his support for Sweden\u2019s application to join the NATO military alliance. The announcement came at&nbsp; Vilnius, Lithuania, where the alliance leaders have gathered for the annual NATO Summit.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkey agreed to clear the way for Sweden to join NATO following a meeting between President Erdogan, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on July 10, 2023. Turkey\u2019s sudden reversal would strengthen alliance unity and expansion before a critical summit focused on preparing to repel Russia\u2019s invasion of Ukraine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis is a historic day\u201d Stoltenberg said at a news conference. \u201cI\u2019m glad to announce \u2026 President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Glad to announce that after the meeting I hosted with <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/RTErdogan?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@RTErdogan<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SwedishPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@SwedishPM<\/a>, President Erdogan has agreed to forward <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Sweden?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#Sweden<\/a>&#8216;s accession protocol to the Grand National Assembly ASAP &amp; ensure ratification. This is an historic step which makes all <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NATO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">#NATO<\/a> Allies stronger &amp; safer. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/D7OeR5Vgba\">pic.twitter.com\/D7OeR5Vgba<\/a><\/p>\u2014 Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jensstoltenberg\/status\/1678484703060324359?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 10, 2023<\/a><\/blockquote> <script async=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><br>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThis has been a good day for Sweden,\u201d Prime Minister Kristersson said, adding that the joint statement represented \u201ca very big step\u201d toward the final ratification of Sweden\u2019s membership of NATO.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sweden abandoned more than 200 years of neutrality and military nonalignment, and applied for NATO membership along with Finland, in response to Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine.&nbsp;Both required unanimous approval from all the NATO member states.&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/finland-becomes-31st-member-of-nato-in-major-blow-to-russia\/\"><span style=\"color:#ac0707\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Finland was fully accepted as a NATO member<\/span><\/a>&nbsp;in April this year, however, Sweden\u2019s application awaited approval from Hungary and Turkey. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NATO-Turkey-Sweden-Finland-officials-meeting.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NATO-Turkey-Sweden-Finland-officials-meeting.jpg?resize=819%2C439&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-16352\" width=\"819\" height=\"439\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NATO-Turkey-Sweden-Finland-officials-meeting.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NATO-Turkey-Sweden-Finland-officials-meeting.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em><sup>Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstr\u00f6m (L), Finland&#8217;s Minister of Foreign Affairs Elina Valtonen, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of T\u00fcrkiye Hakan Fidan (R) posing for a group photo on July 6, 2023. (Image Credit: NATO)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After Turkey\u2019s endorsement, Hungary also ratified Sweden&#8217;s NATO accession. \u201cOur position is clear: the government supports Stockholm&#8217;s accession to the Atlantic Alliance\u201d, Hungary&#8217;s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto&nbsp; said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Sweden\u2019s NATO accession<\/strong> <strong>and counter-terrorism cooperation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Erdogan had objected to Sweden\u2019s entry into the alliance over its alleged role in harboring terrorists and being lenient towards the organizations such as Kurdistan Workers\u2019 Party (PKK),&nbsp;which have been declared terrorist groups by Turkey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In return for the approval, Sweden agreed to work closely to address Turkiye\u2019s legitimate security concerns. NATO said in its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nato.int\/cps\/en\/natohq\/news_217147.htm?selectedLocale=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><span style=\"color:#ac0707\" class=\"has-inline-color\">joint statement<\/span><\/a> that \u201cSweden has amended its constitution, changed its laws, significantly expanded its counter-terrorism cooperation against the PKK, and resumed arms exports to Turkiye,\u201d all mentioned in the 2022 Trilateral Memorandum. Both Ankara and Stockholm countries recognized that counter-terrorism cooperation requires long-term commitment, extending beyond Sweden\u2019s accession to NATO. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>NATO would also establish a new \u201cspecial coordinator for counterterrorism\u201d. Meanwhile, Sweden would help reinvigorate Turkey\u2019s application to enter the European Union, including modernization of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and visa liberalization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><br>Why Turkey changed its stance?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The announcement came as a surprise after Turkish President Erdogan had suggested that Sweden could only join the alliance after his country is accepted into the European Union (EU). However, the next day, Ankara approved the bid, paving the way for Stockholm to become the alliance\u2019s&nbsp;32nd&nbsp;member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hours after Ankara\u2019s decision, the U.S. administration announced it will move forward with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in consultation with the United States Congress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Speaking ahead of the NATO summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said U.S. President Joe Biden \u201chad been clear that he supports the transfer\u201d. Without sharing details, Sullivan said that Biden \u201chas placed no caveats on this &#8230; He intends to move forward with that transfer<strong>\u201d<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Turkey had requested to buy $20 billion in F-16 fighters and nearly 80 modernization kits for its existing warplanes. However, the deal has been stalled since 2021. Turkey\u2019s National Defense Minister Yasar Guler also discussed the F-16 issue with his United States counterpart Lloyd Austin on a phone call on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Turkey-Erdogan-NATO-Summit.jpg?ssl=1\"><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Turkey-Erdogan-NATO-Summit.jpg?resize=852%2C457&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-9079\" width=\"852\" height=\"457\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Turkey-Erdogan-NATO-Summit.jpg?w=690&amp;ssl=1 690w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/03\/Turkey-Erdogan-NATO-Summit.jpg?resize=300%2C161&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 852px) 100vw, 852px\" \/><\/a><figcaption><em><sup>Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaking at the Extraordinary NATO Summit on March 24, 2022. (Image Credit: Turkish President&#8217;s Office\/Twitter)<\/sup><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Analysts say that with the approval of Sweden\u2019s membership of NATO, Turkish President Erdogan made progress on multiple fronts, including a tougher approach towards Kurdish fighters in Sweden, the removal of the de facto U.S. Congress veto on the sale of F-16s to Ankara, and raising the issue of Turkish visa-free travel within the EU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><strong>Biden welcomes Sweden\u2019s entry in NATO, thanks Turkey<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>U.S. President Biden, who fully supported Sweden\u2019s NATO bid, welcomed&nbsp;the approval and said he looks forward to welcoming Sweden as the 32nd NATO ally. Biden, who arrived in Vilnius on Monday, also said he will work with Turkey \u201con enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. Biden held at least a <a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/briefing-room\/press-briefings\/2023\/07\/09\/press-gaggle-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-and-national-security-advisor-jake-sullivan-en-route-london-united-kingdom\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"color:#ac0707\" class=\"has-inline-color\">45-minute long call<\/span><\/a> with Erdogan aboard Air Force One en route to London, United Kingdom, detailing the reasons Turkey should agree to let Sweden join the alliance. During a bilateral meeting at the NATO summit in Lithuania, President Biden told Erdogan: \u201cThank you for your diplomacy and your courage to take that on.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While Sweden\u2019s NATO membership issue was collectively resolved, Ukraine\u2019s similar aspirations may face a long path. NATO chief said Ukraine will receive a membership invitation when allies agree and conditions are met.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called his Western partners\u2019 reluctance to give a clear timeline for NATO membership \u201cunprecedented and absurd.\u201d Reacting to the vague choice of words by NATO leaders, he said: \u201cIt seems that there is no willingness to invite Ukraine to NATO or make it a member of the Alliance.\u201d Despite Ukraine\u2019s longstanding desire for membership, NATO members have shown caution in initiating the accession process while Ukraine is actively engaged in a war with Russia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a major development, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced his support for Sweden\u2019s application to join the NATO military alliance. The announcement came at  in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the alliance leaders have gathered for the annual NATO Summit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16459,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[62,1],"tags":[6,357,59,113,213,82,7,22],"class_list":["post-16457","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-europe","category-news","tag-defense","tag-europe","tag-nato","tag-security","tag-sweden","tag-turkey","tag-u-s","tag-ukraine"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/NATO-Sweden-Turkiye.jpeg?fit=690%2C370&ssl=1","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7jJWb-4hr","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16457","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=16457"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16457\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":16491,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16457\/revisions\/16491"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16459"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16457"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16457"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ir-ia.com\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16457"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}