The Turkish delegation had officially lifted its objection to Finland and Sweden NATO membership applications, granting safe passage to the two countries to join the military organization.
Turkey on Tuesday have finally accepted their full membership after days of objection to their bid, the three countries after coming to a conclusive decisions signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday evening, ahead of a NATO leaders summit in Madrid.
The application of both Sweden and Finland came in fear of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which has prompted a shift in military neutrality and public option across Europe towards NATO, but which the Turkish leadership had opposed to, over alleged support for the Kurdish terrorist groups.
Following weeks of negotiations, the three countries agreed to a deal paving the way for their inclusion in the military alliance. According to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, he proclaimed at a press conference that “in NATO, we have always shown that whatever our differences, we can always sit down, find common and resolve any issues,” source from Politico Europe says.
The deal has several elements, declared by the NATO chief. The deal for beginners, he said, both Finland and Sweden must commit to fully support Turkey against threats to its national security, and that both countries will work on “cracking down on PKK activities” and will enter”an agreement with Turkey on extradition.”
The two countries will also have no arms embargo against Turkey, and that Finland and Sweden will not provide support to YPG, nor to the movement affiliated with the exiled cleric Fethullah Gülen, the memorandum also agrees that both Finland and Sweden will address Turkey’s pending deportation or extradition requests of terror suspect clarifying that it must be done line with European treaties, says Stoltenberg.
The inclusion of both Sweden and Finland is strategic to NATO expansion both north and east of Europe, and will open more space for them to set active foot in the region, reported Politico Europe.