Sweden's NATO bid is now casting uncertainty as Ankara's demands may not be completely adhered to as stated in the agreement signed by the two countries.
Ankara's Demands Cast Uncertainty in Sweden's NATO Bid
It has been contingent on Stockholm to comply with Istanbul's demands which should be adhered to become a member of the military bloc, reported Republic World.
Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson admitted that his country would not fulfill all of Turkey's conditions which it allegedly is stalling. He added only some of the stipulations could be met if they were to be admitted, noted VOA News.
In May of last year, Stockholm and Helsinki would see NATO membership as the Russia-Ukraine conflict blew up in the Donbas. But Tukey will not allow them an easy pass, along with Hungary, who is stalling the inclusion of these Nordic nations.
The Swedish PM stated that Turkey has confirmed what they have complied with and done, but not all are acceptable, citing Euronews.
He added that it is up to Tayyip Erdogan to make the final decision, which he did on Sunday. He attended a security conference alongside NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
During the symposium, the Swedish Prime Minister spotlighted the trilateral joint statement negotiated between Turkey, Sweden, and Finland through 2022 but also pointed out that Stockholm had worked closely with the Erdogan government to a significant extent. Both nations acknowledged the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as a terrorist organization in the accord, among many other commitments.
Sweden's NATO Bid Stalled
As stated by NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg sincerely hope that both states join NATO "as early as this year." Even Sweden's Prime Minister has expressed confidence about the deadlock. The Swedish PM stated that Turkey would decide but not when.
According to Stockholm, one of the factors that the political situation will influence in Ankara is when the final decision is rendered. But the situation is more challenging to read, and the bid of Stockholm will not be easy to predict.
In the meantime, Finland has also made it abundantly clear that it is in no rush to join the coalition. Finnish Foreign Minister contended that even though Finland's proposal gets acknowledged before Sweden, the nation will still reserve judgment for its Scandinavian neighbor.
Pekka Haavisto stated that Finland does not appear to be in such a rush to join NATO that they cannot wait until Sweden receives the go-ahead, retaining the pledge of joining the North Atlantic coalition "hand in hand."
Hungary and Turkey have yet to vote to approve their bids, despite the fact that 30 other NATO countries have already done so.
Nevertheless, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has pledged that his parliament will endorse Sweden and Finland's admission applications in 2022.
Consequently, the ball is in Turkey's court, as Istanbul is the main dissident in the Nordic bid. Sweden's NATO Bid might not pass as Ankara's demands will be casting uncertainty in its approval.
Related Article: Sweden Enacts Legislative Changes To Satisfy Türkiye's Condition in Joining NATO or Ankara Will Block Membership Bid
