Sweden’s NATO accession talks postponed

The Foreign Affairs Commission of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey met under the chairmanship of Commission President Fuat Oktay. Eight legislative proposals relating to the approval of international agreements, including Sweden’s accession protocol to NATO, were discussed in the committee.

Foreign Ministry officials briefed the committee on the reasons for the proposals. Speaking at the opening of the meeting, the chairman of the commission, Fuat Oktay, celebrated the 40th anniversary of the creation of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) and the 35th anniversary of the declaration of the State of Palestine. Oktay affirmed that Turkey’s support for the Turkish Cypriots will continue to the end and in all circumstances, and that they support the efforts for the two-state solution and the recognition of the TRNC. Oktay affirmed that they will always support the Palestinian people and affirmed that Turkey is making intense efforts to resolve the problems in this context. Oktay pointed to the two-state solution based on the 1967 borders.

“SWEDEN AND FINLAND MADE CONCRETE COMMITMENTS”

After Oktay’s speech, the bill on the approval of the protocol on Sweden’s accession to NATO was discussed. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Burak Akçapar, made his presentation on the proposal and informed the commission.

Akçapar stated that they have emphasized from the beginning of the process that Sweden, as a future NATO ally, must consider Turkey’s legitimate security concerns and begin to act in a spirit of alliance solidarity: “For this purpose, Sweden and Finland agreed before the Madrid Summit held on June 28 and 30, 2022.” We signed the Tripartite Memorandum with the aim of eliminating restrictions on our country in the fight against terrorism and defense industry exports, during our conversations tripartite agreements with the. With this document, which constitutes a roadmap to advance the process, Sweden and Finland made concrete commitments. In this context, Sweden and Finland decided to prevent the propaganda, financing and recruitment activities of the PKK, not to provide support to the PYD/YPG and FETO, take measures to tighten legal legislation in the fight against terrorism, process our extradition and deportation. procedures in all their dimensions, to support the defense industry: “They are committed to eliminating barriers to trade,” he stated.

“THE ERA OF PRIVATE CRITICISM HAS BEGUN”

Stating that they established the Permanent Joint Mechanism between 3 countries to implement these commitments and follow concrete progress, Akçapar stated that the joint mechanism has met 5 times so far. Akçapar stated that, with the work done during the process, the Swedish government and the public began to better understand Turkey’s legitimate security concerns: “In this process, old approaches in the context of fighting terrorism were questioned both at the governmental and public level and a period of self-criticism began. Where do we see this? For example, Prime Minister Kristersson and Foreign Minister Billström declared on each occasion that they had made a paradigm shift in the context of the fight against terrorism in the post-Triple Memorandum period. The Swedish Government emphasizes that it will remain faithful to its commitments even after becoming a member of NATO, in accordance with the agreement reached in the Tripartite Memorandum. The Swedish side made comprehensive legislative changes in the context of the fight against terrorism within the framework of its commitment in the Tripartite Memorandum. In this context, it carried out a constitutional reform regarding the sanction of participation in a terrorist organization, effective as of January 1, 2023. “Within the framework of the constitutional amendment, the amendment to the Anti-Terrorism Law came into force on January 1 June 2023, so for the first time in Sweden participation in a terrorist organization is a crime,” he said.

“THE ORGANIZATION IS UNDER PRESSURE”

Akçapar stated that Sweden has taken some concrete measures against terrorist activities, especially the financing activities of the PKK and its extensions, within the framework of close cooperation between institutions during the NATO accession process:

* “In this context, the account of the so-called Kurdish Red Crescent, one of the main sources of financing for the PKK in Sweden, was closed at Sweden’s SEB Bank. We show this step as an example for other countries where the so-called Kurdish Red Crescent operates. A member of the PKK terrorist organization was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months in prison for extortion on behalf of the PKK through the use of force, financing terrorism and opposing firearms legislation. During the judicial process in question, the new legislation on terrorism was implemented, which came into force on July 1, 2022 and contains aggravated provisions.

* The conviction of a PKK member for a terrorism-related crime is the first in Sweden. A member of the PKK, who has a history of being searched for the purpose of carrying out a prison sentence of 6 years and 3 months for membership in an armed terrorist organization, was deported to our country on December 2, 2022 and is currently serving a sentence of prison in our country. country. At the last meeting of the Permanent Joint Mechanism held on July 6, 2023, the Swedish side stated that people believed to be affiliated with the PKK were being prevented from entering the country. Sweden has taken concrete measures regarding terrorist activities, especially the activities and financing of the PKK. Circles affiliated with the PKK cannot find a comfortable space to move in Sweden as before. “The organization is under pressure.”

Sharing his opinion on Sweden’s accession protocol to NATO, Akçağar said: “Sweden’s accession to NATO will make the European Atlantic region more secure, will serve to further develop our bilateral relations on the basis of ties and alliance responsibilities and will strengthen our cooperation, especially in the field of the defense industry. We consider that it will contribute to its development. “In light of these issues, we submit to the high discretion of the Foreign Affairs Committee the approval of Sweden’s accession protocol.” saying.

After discussions on the entire proposal, AKP parliamentarians put forward a motion to postpone the discussions. The discussion on Sweden’s membership in NATO was postponed by vote in the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, because the issue under discussion was not clarified and the negotiations were not mature enough.

“IT IS NOT POSSIBLE JUST BY CHANGING THE LAW”

The president of the Commission, Fuat Oktay, answered questions from journalists after the meeting. Regarding the invitation of the Swedish ambassador to the Foreign Affairs Commission, Oktay stated that he could be invited after the internal regulations do not impose any obstacles and at the discretion of the members of the commission. Assessing Sweden’s commitments to Turkey in relation to NATO membership, Oktay said: “It is not possible to simply change the law. Terrorist financing also needs to be cut. Our concerns have not yet been resolved. “This will be evaluated now, perhaps Sweden will take further steps,” he said. (DHA)