By KARL RITTER, LORNE COOK and SUZAN FRASER (Associated Press)
VILNIUS, Lithuania (AP) — Sweden’s membership of NATO took a giant step ahead on Monday after Turkey agreed to take away one of many final main roadblocks in return for assist in reviving Turkey’s personal possibilities of becoming a member of the European Union.
At talks within the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, the place U.S. President Joe Biden and his NATO counterparts are assembly for a two-day summit beginning on Tuesday, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan dedicated to place the Nordic nation’s accession protocol earlier than Parliament “as soon as possible,” the pinnacle of NATO mentioned.
“This is an historic day because we have a clear commitment by Turkey to submit the ratification documents to the Grand National Assembly, and to work also with the assembly to ensure ratification,” NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg instructed reporters after a sequence of high-stakes conferences.
Sweden’s NATO accession has been held up by objections from Turkey since final yr. The Turkish parliament’s ratification of the accession protocol is without doubt one of the final steps within the course of.
Stoltenberg made the announcement after talks with Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson on the eve of a NATO summit in Lithuania.
”Today we took a really large step on the highway towards full ratification,” Kristersson mentioned.
There was no remark from Erdogan.
It’s unclear when the Nordic nation’s membership could be accredited, however the settlement seems to have taken the problem off the agenda of the summit, which was meant to focus uniquely on the warfare in Ukraine and Kyiv’s personal membership aspirations.
In a press release, Biden welcomed the settlement and mentioned he’ll work with Turkey “on enhancing defense and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area. I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO Ally.”
In alternate for Turkey’s assist with NATO, Sweden has agreed to assist unblock Turkey’s progress in the direction of becoming a member of the European Union, which has been on maintain since 2018.
Stoltenberg mentioned that Turkey’s relationship with the EU was “not an issue for NATO, it’s an issue for the European Union.” But he instructed reporters that “what Sweden agreed today as an EU member was to support actively the efforts to reinvigorate Turkey’s EU accession process.”
Earlier Monday, Erdogan had warned that he would block Sweden’s try and turn into the thirty second NATO ally until European members of the army group “pave the way” for Turkey to affix the world’s largest buying and selling bloc.
It was the primary time that he had linked the 2 nations’ aspirations on this method.
“Turkey has been waiting at the door of the European Union for over 50 years now, and almost all of the NATO member countries are now members of the European Union,” Erdogan instructed reporters in Istanbul, earlier than flying to Vilnius.
“Come and open the way for Turkey’s membership in the European Union. When you pave the way for Turkey, we’ll pave the way for Sweden, as we did for Finland.”
Turkey was blocking Sweden’s accession as a result of Erdogan believes that Sweden has been too delicate on Kurdish militants and different teams that he considers to be safety threats.
On arriving in Vilnius, Erdogan first met with Kristersson, earlier than breaking off for separate talks with European Council President Charles Michel.
Michel tweeted that he and Erdogan had “explored opportunities ahead to bring cooperation back to the forefront and re-energise our relations.” Michel mentioned he has tasked the European Commission to attract up a “report with a view to proceed in strategic and forward-looking manner.”
Turkey first utilized to affix what’s now the EU in 1987, however its membership talks have been at a standstill since 2018 as a result of democratic backsliding throughout Erdogan’s presidency, considerations concerning the rule of legislation and rights abuses, in addition to disputes with EU-member Cyprus.
Of the 31 NATO member nations, 22 are additionally members of the EU, like Sweden.
Stoltenberg and Kristersson mentioned that Sweden would additionally assist Turkey to enhance its customs preparations with the EU, and to attempt to receive visa-free journey in Europe for its residents. Turkey tried to attain these targets in recent times however failed to fulfill the buying and selling bloc’s requirements.
Earlier, Erdogan’s workplace mentioned he instructed U.S. President Joe Biden throughout a phone name Sunday that Turkey needed a “clear and strong” message of assist for Turkey’s EU ambitions from NATO leaders. The White House readout of the Biden-Erdogan name didn’t point out the problem of Turkish EU membership.
Turkey’s delaying ways have irritated different NATO allies, together with the United States. Biden’s nationwide safety adviser, Jake Sullivan, confirmed Sunday that Biden and Erdogan had mentioned Sweden’s NATO membership, amongst different points, and had agreed to fulfill in Vilnius for additional talks.
Sullivan mentioned the White House is assured Sweden will be a part of the alliance.
“We don’t regard this as something that is fundamentally in doubt. This is a matter of timing. The sooner the better,” he mentioned.
Previously non-aligned Sweden and Finland utilized for NATO membership final yr following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Finland joined in April following Turkish ratification.
Another key challenge on the summit in Vilnius can be the way to convey Ukraine nearer to NATO with out truly becoming a member of, and safety ensures Kyiv may want to make sure that Russia doesn’t invade once more after the warfare ends. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskky will be a part of the summit in individual on Wednesday.
Stoltenberg mentioned an important factor was to proceed to assist Ukraine’s efforts to withstand the Russian invasion.
“Unless Ukraine prevails, there is no membership issue to discuss at all,” he mentioned.
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Fraser reported from Ankara, Turkey. AP White House reporter Chris Megerian in London contributed to this report.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”