Frustration Swirling over NATO: Stoltenberg anticipates bold declaration
A wave of discontent is brewing within NATO, as Turkey delays its approval of Sweden's potential entry into the defense alliance. Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, hinted that a firm and forthright message will be conveyed to Turkish Minister Hakan Fidan at a gathering of foreign ministers scheduled for this Tuesday in Brussels. He emphasized the necessity for Turkey to expedite the ratification process.
Initially, the objective of the meeting was to commemorate Sweden's accession. However, Turkey has yet to complete the ratification of the so-called accession protocol. While Hungary is also lagging behind, it recently pledged that it would not be the sole NATO nation to withhold consent for Sweden's membership.
Investigating the Root Causes
Sweden had initially aimed to join NATO as early as summer 2022. Yet, Turkey frowned upon Sweden's stance against "terrorist organizations," specifically the Kurdish Workers' Party (PKK), and refused to endorse the country's application. In response to Sweden's concessions, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged to facilitate the Turkish parliament's ratification of the accession protocol. However, the process is currently trapped in a parliamentary committee.
Recently, it was unclear whether Turkey sought to prolong negotiations over arms deals as a bargaining chip. Diplomatic sources suggest that resentment over Islamophobic sentiments from Sweden might also be playing a role.
On Saturday, Jimmie Åkesson, the leader of Sweden's right-wing populist party, Sweden Democrats, called for the dismantling of mosques that spew anti-democratic, anti-Swedish, homophobic, or anti-Semitic rhetoric. He also advocated for a halt to new mosque construction. The Sweden Democrats emerged as the second-strongest political force in Sweden's parliamentary elections in 2022. Since then, they have functioned as a crucial support party for the Swedish minority government.
- Despite its intent to celebrate Sweden's inclusion in NATO during the meeting of foreign ministers, Turkey has yet to finalize the necessary ratification procedures, leading to escalating tensions within the alliance.
- Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO Secretary General, has indicated his expectation of a powerful and unmistakable message to Turkish Minister Hakan Fidan, emphasizing the need for Turkey to expedite the ratification process.
- Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President, recently vowed to support Sweden's ratification in the Turkish parliament, although the procedure is currently stuck in a parliamentary committee, raising questions about Turkey's strategies and potential motivations.
Insights: Turkey's delay in ratifying Sweden's NATO accession protocol is driven by concerns over Sweden's alleged support for terrorist entities, such as the PKK and the FETÖ. These organizations, specifically the PKK with its four-decade conflict against the Turkish state and the loss of thousands of lives, and the FETÖ, responsible for orchestrating the 2016 coup attempt, are the source of Turkey's ire.
Turkey has called on Sweden to enact stricter counterterrorism legislation and intensify its crackdown on terrorist organizations to address its concerns. The delay has fueled tension within NATO, as it reveals broader geopolitical and security concerns between Turkey and its Western counterparts.
