Turkish parliament reconvenes for crucial debate surrounding Sweden’s NATO membership
The Turkish parliament has reconvened for a crucial debate surrounding Sweden’s NATO membership, a contentious issue mired in diplomatic intricacies.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s recent linkage of Sweden’s bid to Ankara’s plea for F-16 fighter jets from the United States has added a layer of complexity to the already delicate situation.
Sweden and Finland’s swift decision to abandon decades of military non-alignment in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine garnered fast-track approval from NATO members, except for Turkey and Hungary. Despite initial reservations, Hungary relented, and Finland became NATO’s 31st member in April.
However, Turkey remains a key hurdle, with its parliament yet to ratify Sweden’s membership 19 months after the application.
In November, the foreign affairs committee faced a deadlock over the text for a full floor vote, setting the stage for renewed discussions on Tuesday afternoon.
Erdogan’s previous objections to Sweden’s NATO entry were lifted in July after Stockholm took measures against Kurdish groups, deemed as terrorists by Ankara.
Fuat Oktay, a lawmaker from Erdogan’s AKP party and head of the foreign affairs committee, acknowledged a perceived policy shift in Sweden. “We had some requests for further steps to be taken,” he noted in a televised interview on Monday.
The upcoming committee decision will precede a crucial vote on the parliament floor, where Erdogan’s alliance commands a majority.
The NATO allies, particularly France, have exerted pressure on Turkey, asserting that the credibility of the alliance is “at stake.”
However, Erdogan’s conditions for approval add complexity.
In December, he suggested that parliamentary action on Sweden hinges on the approval of Turkey’s F-16 purchase and the lifting of arms embargoes by NATO allies, including Canada. Erdogan emphasized the interconnected nature of these issues, stating, “All of these are linked.”
Ozgur Unluhisarcikli, Ankara office director of the US German Marshall Fund think tank, highlighted the intricate dynamics at play.
“Sweden’s NATO membership and F-16 sales to Turkey will be handled in coordination to some extent…because unfortunately, neither country trusts the other.”
Turkey’s air force woes, stemming from its expulsion from the F-35 program in 2019, further complicate the F-16 negotiations. The Biden administration’s promise to proceed with the $20-billion sale faces obstacles in the US Congress, citing concerns over Turkey’s human rights record and tensions with Greece.
Erdogan’s past anti-Israel rhetoric and recent events, including the killing of Turkish soldiers by Kurdish militants, add additional layers of complexity.
Unluhisarcikli noted, “There is no strong consensus in the parliament on Sweden’s NATO membership, nor in the US Congress on the sale of F-16s to Turkey.”
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism, “If Biden and Erdogan show the necessary will, we can expect the process to be concluded soon.” The unfolding diplomatic saga continues to captivate global attention as the fate of Sweden’s NATO membership hangs in the balance.
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