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A Turkish parliamentary committee has approved Sweden’s application to join Nato, lifting one of the last hurdles to the long-stalled entry bid that the alliance has said is critical for Europe’s security after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine.
The assent of the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday means the agreement of Turkey’s parliament is the final step needed to ratify Stockholm’s bid, although it was not immediately clear when that vote would be held. Hungary has also withheld its approval of the bloc’s expansion, linking its consent to Turkey’s stance.
Sweden dropped its centuries-old policy of military non-alignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, applying with its neighbour Finland to join Nato. Turkey approved Finland’s bid this year, and US President Joe Biden and European leaders have urged Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to admit Sweden, arguing that it would strengthen the bloc’s defences.
But Erdoğan opposed the Nordic country’s entry, demanding it first crack down on Kurdish and other political dissidents whom he views as “terrorists”. Sweden passed an anti-terrorism law this year and a court jailed a man for funding the armed Kurdistan Workers’ party, listed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and the EU.
Fuat Oktay, head of the foreign relations committee and member of the ruling party, was quoted as telling lawmakers during the debate that Erdoğan’s government was “pleased” with the measures Stockholm had taken, though it expected more work to halt financing of terrorism.
Erdoğan has also linked ratification to the sale of F-16 fighter jets from the US, saying this month that he expected Washington to “simultaneously” approve the sale of the warplanes in exchange for the green light on Sweden.
“There is progress on the F-16 issue. Our president confirmed with the US president in very clear terms that [Biden] will undertake efforts on the F-16s in Congress after Sweden becomes a member,” deputy foreign minister Burak Akçapar told the parliamentary committee during the debate, according to Anka news agency.
Biden and Erdoğan held a phone call this month to discuss Sweden’s application to Nato and Turkey’s desire to buy the 40 new F-16s and modernisation kits for its existing fleet.
Biden has backed the sale of billions of dollars worth of jets to Ankara, but some members of Congress remain opposed because of Turkey’s rights record, its ties with Russia and other issues that divide the Nato allies.
Erdoğan’s vocal support for Hamas after its October 7 attack on Israel and his criticism of the backing the US has given Israel’s offensive has also raised concerns in Congress, US officials have said.
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