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| Biden says Sweden will 'soon' join NATO at U.S. Air Force address Image Credit: Google |
US President
Joe Biden expressed his confidence in Sweden's eventual accession to NATO,
despite opposition from Turkey and Hungary.
While speaking
at a graduation ceremony of United States Air Force Academy, Biden commended
NATO's unity in the face of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and emphasized the
strengthened alliance with the recent addition of Finland, with Sweden soon to
follow.
Meaning of NATO's
Strength and Biden's Support:
Biden hailed North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as more effective, energized and united
than ever. He affirmed that Sweden's membership in the alliance would be
materialized soon.
The US
Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, echoed this sentiment during his visit to
Sweden, urging Turkey to approve Sweden's bid prior to the upcoming NATO summit
in Vilnius.
Biden further
conveyed his commitment to Ukraine, emphasizing the unwavering support of the
American people.
Sweden's NATO
Membership Process:
Sweden and
Finland had started to seek membership of the NATO Alliance following Russia's
invasion of Ukraine, and while Finland joined the alliance in April, but Sweden's
application is still pending.
The approval of
new NATO members requires ratification by existing member countries.
Despite Hungary
and Turkey being key decision-makers in Sweden's accession, Turkey has been
regarded as the main obstacle due to concerns over alleged support for the
Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on Swedish soil.
Addressing
Turkey's Concerns:
Sweden
acknowledges Turkey's concerns and is actively working to address them in
accordance with a trilateral memorandum signed by Sweden, Turkey, and Finland.
Turkish Foreign
Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu tweeted a reminder to his Swedish counterpart, urging
them to fulfill their commitments regarding counter-terrorism efforts.
Biden's Efforts
and Turkey's Role:
Biden have also
discussed Sweden's NATO application for membership with Turkish President Recep
Tayyip Erdogan during a phone call in which he also congratulated him following
his re-election as the President of Republic of Turkiye.
The US
president highlighted the importance of finalizing a deal with Sweden while
mentioning Turkey's interest in procuring US-made F-16 fighter jets.
Although Biden
did not mention Turkey directly in his recent remarks, he underscored NATO's
solidarity in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and emphasized that
Putin had miscalculated NATO's resolve.
Biden’s
Optimism:
President Biden
remains optimistic about Sweden's eventual NATO membership despite obstacles
posed by Hungary and Turkey.
The unity and
strength of NATO, coupled with the unwavering support of the United States,
reaffirm the commitment to defending shared values and supporting Ukraine in
its fight for freedom, sovereignty, and democracy.
The US has
consistently provided significant humanitarian and military aid to Ukraine,
demonstrating its steadfast dedication to the cause.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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