The Turkish Foreign Affairs Commission has finally given the green light for Sweden’s NATO accession.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the far-right Nationalist Action Party of Devlet Bakhceli, the President’s government partner, and the Kemalist Republican People’s Party (CHP) voted “in favour” to the proposal, while Meral Aksener’s Good Party (İYİ) voted “against”. The pro-Kurdish People’s Equality and Democracy Party decided to abstain from the vote.

Announcing the decision, Commission President Fuat Oktay said that Sweden has taken measures against terrorism, especially the financing of terrorism. However, he was quick to add that they have yet to see the expected results in the fight against terrorism.

After its approval by the 27-member committee, the accession protocol will be put to a vote in the Plenary of the National Assembly – estimated to take place on January 16 – after which the decision will have to be signed by President Erdogan.

The protocol sent to the Turkish Commission by the Turkish President was initially put on the agenda of the Foreign Affairs Committee on November 16, but the relevant debate was postponed.

On Tuesday (12/19), Erdogan said Sweden’s application to join NATO and the sale of US F-16 fighter jets to Turkey were linked and that President Joe Biden had promised to persuade Congress to secure the sale of F-16s if Turkey approves Sweden’s application for NATO membership.

Turkey requested in October 2021 to buy 40 Lockheed Martin Corp F-16 fighter jets and 79 modernization kits for its existing warplanes.

The Turkish President got involved in Sweden’s NATO accession and Canada. Another issue complicating the parliamentary process, he said, is Canada’s and some allies’ negative stance on defence procurement.

Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine. Although Ankara endorsed Finland’s membership, it objected to Sweden’s case, on the grounds that Stockholm provides protection to organizations Ankara considers terrorist.

The second NATO member that has not yet ratified the accession protocol is Viktor Orbán’s Hungary.

Source: CNN Greece

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