Turkey Expert Says Swedish NATO Application Back on the Agenda
Turkey expert, Paul Levin, has revealed that the Swedish NATO application is back on the agenda in Turkey. According to Levin, the process could be completed in just two weeks, after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated last week that Sweden has not taken sufficient measures against the PKK to be approved in NATO.
Sources close to Levin stated that the Swedish NATO application will be processed in the foreign affairs committee, with discussions set to take place as soon as next week. This news comes as a surprise after Erdogan’s repeated blockades of the application, which has been linked to the unresolved F16 fighter jet deal with the US.
Levin suggested that the sudden movement in the process may be due to an agreement with the United States. “I think it is an agreement with the United States. I have also heard from the American side that they have been promised that things will move quite quickly,” said Levin.
Levin also revealed that he has received information suggesting that the process can be completed in two weeks, just in time for the upcoming meeting of foreign ministers in NATO. However, he noted that ultimately, the decision rests with President Erdogan.
“If he puts pressure on the members of his alliance to vote for them, they will. But all of a sudden it looks like it can go through,” Levin added.
This latest development in the Swedish NATO application process will be one to watch in the coming weeks, as hopes rise for a positive outcome for Sweden.