Turkey has withdrawn its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO, which opens the door to the Nordic nations being accepted as the newest members of the defence pact.
Both countries, long opposed to NATO membership, have changed their position towards NATO following Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. However, Turkey had said they would block the nations joining NATO because of a Turkish belief that Sweden and Finland backed and funded Kurdish militants who have fought a long war for independence against Turkey.
As part of the deal, Turkey and Sweden will guarantee that the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) remains a proscribed terrorist organisation, and that they will no longer send funds to the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union party (PYD) and People’s Protection Units (YPG) groups in Kurdistan who have been fighting against ISIS, but which Turkey claims are front organisations for the PKK.
Sweden is home to 100,000 Kurds, many of whom harbour sympathies towards the PKK, and some of whom are wanted in Turkey on charges of terrorism and militancy.
Jens Stoltenberg, NATO’s secretary general, said of the breakthrough:
“I am pleased to announce that we now have an agreement that paves the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO. Turkey, Finland and Sweden have signed a memorandum that addresses Turkey’s concerns, including around arms exports and the fight against terrorism.”
Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said:
“Taking the next step toward a full NATO membership is of course important for Sweden and Finland. But it’s also a very important step for NATO, because our countries will be security providers within NATO. And of course, we will continue our fight against terrorism and as NATO members also do so with closer cooperation with Turkey.”
The deal was also praised by US President Joe Biden, who tweeted:
“A crucial step towards a NATO invite to Finland and Sweden, which will strengthen our alliance and bolster our collective security.”
Turkey is the only NATO member to not impose harsh sanctions on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine. However, it has been delivering arms to the Ukrainian defenders, including highly influential and destructive unmanned drones.
[Based on reporting by: The Guardian]
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