NATO membership for Sweden may be feasible in the short term, says NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg. The Secretary-General has invited delegations from Sweden and Turkey to discuss possible Swedish accession at the NATO summit in Vilnius next week.
“It’s time for Sweden to join the alliance,” Stoltenberg said after a meeting in Brussels. There, the Turkish objections to Swedish membership were once again discussed. According to Stoltenberg, it is possible that at the summit in the Lithuanian capital there will be a positive assessment of the accession of the Swedes. “A positive outcome next week is important,” he added.
The Swedish foreign minister acknowledged that progress had been made in Brussels at the meeting with Finland, Turkey and NATO. “I don’t see what else we can do at the moment to meet Turkey’s conditions. We have met all the requirements as far as we are concerned,” said Tobias Billström. The minister hopes that a decision will be made in Sweden’s favor at the NATO summit, “but it is ultimately up to the Turks”.
Quran burning may be banned
The Swedish government will look into whether the burning of holy books can be banned by law in the country. Recent Quran burnings have made Sweden a target for terrorist attacks, Swedish security services say. Such actions are also detrimental to the chances of joining NATO. Turkish President Erdogan said earlier that Turkey will not approve Sweden’s application for accession as long as Koran burnings continue.
Today, Turkey’s foreign minister reiterated that Sweden “must put its legislative changes into practice”. But, added Minister Fidan, changes in the law are of no use “if the PKK can continue to run its course in Sweden”.
The NATO summit in Vilnius starts on July 11. President Erdogan reportedly has meetings there not only with Stoltenberg and the Swedes, but also with US President Biden.