Sweden approaches NATO as Turkey presents accession protocols

Sweden has moved closer to joining NATO as Turkey’s president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has presented the accession protocols to the country’s parliament. This comes after months of delays and negotiations, as Turkey had previously expressed concern about Sweden’s stance on militant groups and individuals associated with a failed coup attempt in Turkey.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Sweden and Finland to seek NATO membership, and while Finland’s accession was approved in April this year, Sweden’s entry faced obstacles due to Turkey’s objections. Erdogan accused Sweden of being too lenient with militant groups, particularly the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and harboring people linked to the 2016 coup attempt. Turkey also expressed concern over the alleged demonstrations Islamophobia in Sweden, including the burning of the Koran.

In response to these concerns, Sweden has taken steps to address Turkey’s security concerns. The country has tightened its anti-terrorism legislation and agreed to work more closely with Turkey on these matters. In July, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg announced that Erdogan had agreed to send the accession protocols to the Turkish parliament for ratification, but no specific timeframe was provided.

The United States has welcomed this development, and State Department spokesman Matt Miller has expressed hope that the Turkish parliament will consider and approve the bill as soon as possible. However, Sweden’s road to NATO membership is not yet complete, as Hungary has also not voted to approve Sweden’s bid. According to Reuters, Hungary’s prime minister said in September that the country was in no rush to approve Sweden’s accession.

In conclusion, Sweden’s submission of accession protocols to the Turkish parliament is a step forward in its quest to join NATO. While it does not guarantee immediate membership, it represents progress in addressing Turkey’s concerns. The international community will be watching closely as the Turkish parliament considers the bill and Hungary’s position on Sweden’s membership becomes clearer in the coming weeks and months. This is an ongoing story, and we’ll bring you the latest updates as they become available. Thank you for watching.

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