Turkish legislators have finally scheduled a long-awaited vote on Tuesday regarding Sweden’s bid to join NATO, potentially paving the way for the Nordic country’s entry into the military alliance. The decision comes after a year of delays and strained relations, with Turkey expressing concerns about Sweden’s approach to security threats and demanding concessions.
Turkey, a NATO member, has sought tougher measures from Sweden against Kurdish militants and individuals linked to a coup attempt in 2016. Tensions escalated further with protests in Sweden supporting the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party and Quran-burning demonstrations.
Last month, Turkey’s parliament foreign affairs committee granted consent for Sweden’s NATO membership in the initial legislative phase. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whose party holds a parliamentary majority, sent the accession protocol for approval, expected to pass on Tuesday.
Sweden’s accession will be effective upon publication in Turkey’s Official Gazette. The country’s main opposition party also supports Sweden’s NATO membership. Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar emphasized Sweden’s efforts to meet Turkish demands, including changes to anti-terrorism laws and lifting defense industry sales restrictions.
Erdogan has linked Sweden’s NATO approval to the US Congress endorsing Turkey’s request for 40 new F-16 fighter jets. He has also urged NATO allies, including Canada, to lift arms embargoes on Turkey. Sweden and Finland departed from their traditional nonalignment stance following Russia’s Ukraine invasion in 2022, with Finland joining NATO in April after Turkey’s approval.
Hungary has also raised objections to Sweden’s bid, citing alleged misinformation about Hungary’s democracy. While Hungary has not set a date for its vote on Sweden’s NATO membership, it has asserted that it will not be the last to approve accession.