Turkey gains concessions as Finnish and Swedish NATO applications approved
Arranged every two years, Finland participated in exercise Cold Response in 2016 and again this year. (Photo: Finnish Ministry of Defence)
NATO Ambassadors signed the Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden at NATO Headquarters on 5 July.
With the signing of the Accession Protocols, Finland’s and Sweden’s applications for NATO membership will now have to be approved by each of the member nations.
Over the past few months, Ankara has threatened to veto the Scandinavian nation’s bid for membership.
An agreement was reached last week at the Madrid Summit; however, tensions remain high as only two days after an agreement was reached, Erdoğan stressed that Turkey would still veto the application if the two nations failed to meet Turkish demands.
One of the key terms of the compromise was for Finland and Sweden to extradite people associated with the Kurdistan Workers’ party (PKK), which both nations already recognised as a terrorist group.
Turkey also considers the Syrian Kurdish People’s Protection Units as an extension of the PKK, which is refuted by other members of NATO and the two Nordic nations, although they have agreed to not provide future support.
Although historically the two nations had declined to join the organisation, a close relationship existed with both countries taking part in international exercises, such as Cold Response and BALTOPS 22, and maintaining strong industry ties, such as with the UK and Sweden’s joint development of NLAW missiles.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness]()
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
![Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?]()
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
![US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap]()
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
![NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls]()
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
![US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025]()
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
