Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Sweden President Ulf Kristersson on Monday evening (from left) Photo: dpa/picture-alliance
From the BZ editorial team
Breakthrough in the tug-of-war over Sweden’s NATO membership! According to NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan cleared the way for the Scandinavians to join the military alliance on Monday evening.
► Stoltenberg writes on Twitter that he is “pleased” that Erdogan wants to forward “Sweden’s accession protocol to the Grand National Assembly (Turkish Parliament)” as soon as possible “to ensure ratification”.
This is “a historic step that makes all NATO allies stronger and safer,” Stoltenberg continued.
It’s a surprise announcement!
► Because: On Monday afternoon, the Turkish head of state had set conditions for this step: Erdogan only wanted to agree to Sweden joining NATO if the European Union resumed accession talks with Turkey.
Erdogan’s announcement had also come as a surprise. Turkey has so far firmly opposed Sweden’s accession to the defense alliance, repeatedly citing security concerns.