In a bold move, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered conditional support for Sweden’s NATO candidacy, stating that it hinges on the European Union resuming long-stalled membership talks with Ankara. Erdogan made these remarks during a televised media appearance before departing for the NATO summit in Lithuania. This development has sparked discussions about the intertwined dynamics between EU membership talks and NATO alliances.
Erdogan’s Ultimatum: EU Membership Talks First, Sweden’s NATO Membership Second
President Erdogan emphasized that if the EU wishes to see Sweden join NATO, it must first open the way for Turkey’s membership in the European Union. Drawing parallels with Finland’s EU membership, Erdogan called for a similar approach and insisted on prioritizing Turkey’s EU aspirations. He conveyed the same message to US President Joe Biden during a recent phone conversation. Erdogan’s demand signifies Turkey’s desire to reinvigorate its stalled EU accession process.
Conditions and Demands: Turkey’s Expectations from Sweden
Turkey wants Sweden to address its worries about national security threats presented by organizations such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and the People’s Protection Units (YPG), which Ankara regards as the PKK’s Syrian branch. Ankara also wants the extradition of people it considers “terrorists” and the removal of Turkey’s arms embargo. Erdogan stated that his government would not make any concessions on these topics, underlining the necessity of resolving security concerns.
Support from NATO Allies: Stoltenberg and Scholz Respond
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his support for Turkey’s EU membership aspirations and emphasized that Sweden had already met the conditions required for NATO membership. Stoltenberg’s remarks suggest that Sweden’s approval as a NATO member is imminent and could be decided during the Vilnius summit. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also welcomed Turkey’s stance, viewing it as a positive development and expressing hope that Sweden would soon become a NATO member.
Stalled EU Membership: Turkey’s 50-Year Wait at the EU’s Doorstep
Turkey’s journey towards EU membership began in 1987 when it applied to join the European Economic Community. It became an official EU candidate country in 1999 and initiated membership negotiations in 2005. However, the talks have been stagnant since 2016 due to European concerns about human rights violations in Turkey. Erdogan underscored the prolonged wait of over 50 years at the EU’s front door, calling out the EU countries that have made Turkey wait for an extended period. He pledged to address this issue once again during the Vilnius summit.
As pressure mounts on Turkey within the NATO alliance, President Erdogan’s conditional support for Sweden’s NATO candidacy highlights the interplay between EU membership talks and NATO alliances. The upcoming Vilnius summit holds the promise of crucial discussions on these matters, with hopes that progress can be made toward both Turkey’s EU membership and Sweden’s NATO membership.
