Germany has asked Turkey and Hungary to quickly ratify Finland’s and Sweden’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
The two Nordic countries have announced their intention to join NATO in May 2022, ending decades of neutrality after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted a sudden shift in attitudes towards joining the bloc.
All 30 NATO member states must ratify a bid to join the bloc; However, Turkey and Hungary have not yet ratified it.
Turkish-Swedish relations suffered a major blow in late January after a rally outside the Turkish Embassy in Helsinki where anti-immigration politicians presented copies of the Quran. The incident sparked outrage in the Turkish capital, Ankara, where protesters took to the streets and burned a Swedish flag outside the Swedish embassy in response.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan earlier said he had a positive view of Finland’s entry into NATO, but not of Sweden “as long as it allows attacks on the Islamic holy book Quran,” according to state news agency Anadolu. Turkey has also said that Sweden should take a clearer stance towards what it considers terrorists, particularly Kurdish militants and groups blamed for the 2016 coup attempt.
However, on Monday, February 13, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said during a joint press conference with her Finnish counterpart in Helsinki that Turkey must ratify the offer to make the alliance stronger.
?I have been clear for the last few months about all NATO members, especially the two that have not yet ratified, that not only is it in the spirit of the alliance to ratify quickly, but it will also make us stronger as an alliance.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto added, “On NATO accession ? we are waiting for the last two ratifications of Hungary and Turkey,” adding that he hopes that the completion of “all the conditions set by Turkey” will lead to a very fast ratification process. “
Haavisto said he hoped Finland and Sweden could become NATO members by mid-summer, adding that “conflict is not far from us.”
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