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| Turkish President Erdogan Image Credit: Al-Jazeera |
In a significant development, the foreign affairs commission of the Turkish parliament has given its approval to Sweden's NATO membership bid.
This move marks a crucial step forward in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and clears another hurdle in Sweden's accession process to the military alliance.
A Key Decision After 19 Months of Delays
The decision, made on Tuesday, is a pivotal one, especially considering the 19 months of delays in the process. During this period, Ankara had sought security-related concessions from Stockholm.
The commission, under the control of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), voted in favor of supporting Sweden's bid, which was initiated last year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
What is the Next Steps in the NATO Accession Process
The next step involves a vote by the full parliament, where the AK Party and its allies hold a majority.
Optimism surrounds the expectation that Sweden's NATO membership will receive approval, leading the measure to Erdogan. If he signs it into law, this would conclude a nearly two-year-long process, which has, at times, tested the patience of Ankara's allies in the West.
Caution Against Speedy Approval
Commission head Fuat Oktay, however, has cautioned against expecting a swift vote in the full Grand National Assembly.
He emphasized that the speaker would determine the timing for the vote, and with Parliament having a two-week recess in early January, the process may not unfold with lightning speed.
Reactions to Commission's Approval
Following the commission's approval, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom expressed his satisfaction, stating that Sweden welcomes the move and looks forward to joining NATO.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg also applauded the approval by the Turkish parliamentary commission, urging both Turkey and the holdout Hungary to complete their ratifications "as soon as possible."
“I welcome the vote by the Turkish parliament’s Foreign
Affairs Committee to ratify Sweden’s NATO membership,” Stoltenberg said.
Background and Objections
Erdogan put objections in May of the previous year, where he raised concerns about Sweden and Finland's NATO requests.
These objections were rooted in what he deemed as their protection of individuals labeled as "terrorists" and their defense of trade embargoes.
While Finland's bid was ratified in April, Sweden faced additional hurdles related to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), prompting Stockholm to introduce a bill making membership in a "terrorist organization" illegal.
A Geopolitical Chess Game!
The narrative explores the geopolitical dynamics, including Erdogan's linkage of Turkey's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership with US approval of F-16 fighter jet sales to Turkey.
We can conclude it with the Erdogan's recent statement about Washington considering the ratification in response to a call with US President Joe Biden.
This unfolding saga adds a layer of complexity to international
relations, keeping the world on edge as the diplomatic chess game continues.
(Courtesy: Al-Jazeera)
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