Turkey achieves ‘a gain from a loss’ by giving green light to Finnish, Swedish NATO membership
A pair of Turkish Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcons escort a USAF B-52H Stratofortress through Turkish airspace in May 2021. (Photo: USAF/Staff Sgt Jason Allred)
In extracting concessions before lifting its veto to Finland and Sweden joining NATO, Turkey has been able to declare a diplomatic victory — but how much of an achievement is it?
The journey to NATO for Finland and Sweden reached a new milestone on 28 June following a quadrilateral meeting in Madrid, just before a summit of Alliance members saw the adoption of a new strategic concept.
Turkey, Sweden and Finland issued a ten-point trilateral memorandum after the meeting, which was also attended by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
According to the memorandum, Finland and Sweden fully support Turkey in countering threats to its national security, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and both countries pledged to lift arms embargoes imposed on Turkey in 2019 following operations in northern Syria.
Sweden imposed
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
![Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems]()
Companies’ results boom as countries dig deep to buy missiles and air defence systems
Air defence systems are continuing to appear top of countries’ shopping lists but broadly across different capabilities it is a sellers’ market, as demonstrated by backlogs and double-digit percentage point growth.
-
![Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans]()
Details revealed on Germany’s big spending plans
In May this year, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the government plans to position Germany as “Europe's strongest conventional army”. A new blueprint outlines how this is going to occur through massive investment.
-
![European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap]()
European Council to deliver at “pace and scale” on European defence readiness 2030 roadmap
Two of the concrete projects outlined in the readiness report, the European Air Shield and Space Shield, will aim to be launched by Q2 2026.
-
![Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026]()
Malaysia’s defence budget sets out major procurement goals for 2026
The country has allocated RM21.70 billion for defence spending next year, with some major procurements set to be initiated across the country’s army, navy and air force.
-
![GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements]()
GAO highlights the need for more commercial data and availability improvements
The US Government Accountability Office recently released two reports; one into the availability of selected equipment and another looking at how the government gets data and intellectual property rights through contracting.
