Erdogan’s shocker: Sweden’s NATO dreams at mercy of Turkey’s EU ambitions

In an intriguing turn of events, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that he would only support Sweden’s bid for NATO membership if the European Union (EU) recommences membership negotiations with Ankara.

Erdogan made this announcement ahead of a major NATO summit, during which Western leaders are expected to demonstrate unity in response to Russia‘s attack on Ukraine.

Erdogan’s declaration follows his months-long intervention against Sweden’s NATO aspirations, a move driven by what he perceives as Sweden’s failure to address Kurdish extremists instigating rebellion against the Turkish state. This led German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to characterize Erdogan’s demand as unrelated to Sweden’s eligibility for the security protections offered by the world’s most potent military organization.

The Turkish President, in his statement, expressed his frustration towards several leaders who are now seeking his support for Sweden’s candidacy despite having previously impeded Turkey’s own bid for EU membership.

Erdogan sets conditions for Sweden’s NATO candidacy: EU membership talks with Turkey must resume. Photo courtesy of President.gov.ua/Wikipedia.org.

Erdogan emphasized Turkey’s long-standing endeavor to gain EU membership, a journey that started with an application to join the European Economic Community in 1987, followed by EU candidate status in 1999, and formal membership negotiations in 2005. However, these negotiations were stalled due to European countries’ concerns over human rights violations within Turkey, following a stringent crackdown by Erdogan post a failed 2016 military coup.

Scholz remained steadfast in his stance, asserting that Erdogan’s demands conflate two distinct issues. He stressed that Sweden fulfills all prerequisites for NATO membership, and the question of Turkey’s EU membership should be considered separately.

The Turkish President did not address the dispute with Sweden but firmly insisted that promises made to Turkey should be kept. Erdogan’s latest move showcases his tenacity in pursuing EU membership for Turkey, even as he continues to wield influence over the outcomes of NATO membership negotiations for other nations.