Turkey Withdraws Opposition to Sweden and Finland NATO Membership... Memorandum of Understanding Signed

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Turkey has withdrawn its previous opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and signed a memorandum of understanding approving their membership. With the biggest obstacle to their NATO membership removed, it is expected that the two countries' accession will accelerate. NATO anticipates that after the approval of the 30 member countries' leaders at this summit, and subsequent ratification by each member country's parliament, the membership of the two countries will be realized within the next few months.

According to CNN on the 28th (local time), Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said at a press conference during the opening ceremony of the NATO summit, "Turkey has signed a memorandum of understanding with Sweden and Finland to address Turkey's concerns such as arms exports and counter-terrorism, and has agreed to their NATO membership," emphasizing, "As a result, Russian President Vladimir Putin now faces more NATO countries along the border."

Earlier that day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, and Finnish President Sauli Niinist? met in Madrid, where the NATO summit was held, for talks. After four hours of discussion, the three countries reportedly reached an agreement.

At a press conference following the talks, President Erdo?an said, "We want to see action, not words," demanding that the two countries promptly implement Turkey's requests. Previously, Turkey had opposed the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland, citing reasons such as their support for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which threatens Turkey's security, and arms embargoes imposed on Turkey.

Turkey's change of stance is seen as overcoming the biggest obstacle to Sweden and Finland's NATO membership. For NATO to accept new members, unanimous consent from existing members is required. According to Bloomberg News, at this NATO summit, the leaders of the 30 member countries are expected to sign in favor of the two countries' membership. After obtaining ratification from the parliaments of each member country over the next few months, the NATO membership of the two countries is expected to be officially approved.