The American top politician Michael McCaul states that Turkey will soon approve Sweden’s NATO application in exchange for Turkey being allowed to buy the American F-16 fighter jets. How it will go in the Turkish election does not matter, he believes.
– Sweden has no part in this type of business, therefore I cannot comment specifically on this. But all signals that are positive about Sweden’s NATO membership application are something we are happy about, says Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M).
According to Tobias Billström, the deal, if it comes to fruition, is entirely a settlement on a bilateral level between the American and Turkish governments.
At the same time, the signal from the US about a Turkish approval is not surprising because they have long been aware of the US’s positive attitude towards Sweden’s application, he believes.
– We have had a visit from the US Minister of Defense here in Sweden, where he publicly said that he will work hard for this and wants Sweden to become members before Vilnius. Next week, US Foreign Minister Antony Blinken will also come to the big ministerial meeting in Luleå, he says.
Think the application can be approved before Vilnius
In a month and a half, the Vilnius summit will take place. Tobias Billström believes that it is realistic that Turkey and Hungary will ratify the Swedish NATO application before then.
– And we will invest time and effort on the part of the government to ensure that it turns out that way. We are very hopeful, he says.
What else is important to get Turkey and Hungary to swing and have time to complete the ratifications shortly?
– One is to ensure that this issue remains high on the agenda in all NATO member states. The second is that the Member States talk to the colleagues in Turkey and Hungary.
Spain is working to speed up the process
During a joint press conference on Friday, Spain’s foreign and EU minister, José Manuel Albares Bueno, also stated that they will work at all levels to get the two remaining countries to approve Sweden’s application as soon as possible.
– Spain supports Sweden’s entry into NATO. We will work at all levels in a constructive way to get the two remaining allies to ratify Sweden’s application as soon as possible, he says.