Context: 

This editorial is based on the news “Turkey finally backs Sweden’s NATO bid: Why the opposition, why it changed its stance” which was published in The Indian Express. Recently, Turkey’s parliament supported Sweden’s attempt to join North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership. 

• Turkey and Hungary had been opposing its entry for almost the past two years.

Nato Membership To Sweden and Finland

• A Neutral Position Holder Nation: Sweden has not fought a war in two centuries, staying neutral through the two World Wars and the Cold War. 
  • In recent years, it joined the European Union and collaborated with NATO but did not show any intention of actually joining the military alliance.
• Intention for Joining NATO: 
  • Invasion by Russia: The neutrality of Sweden had to be abandoned after Russia invaded Ukraine. 
  • Applied for Membership in 2022: With public opinion increasingly in favor of joining NATO, both Sweden and Finland applied for membership in 2022. 
• Faced Opposition: While Finland’s bid was cleared, Sweden ran into stiff opposition from Turkey and Hungary.

Sweden Map

Turkey’s Stand on Nato Membership To Sweden

• Reason to Oppose Membership:  
  • Soft on Terror Groups: Turkey had accused Sweden of going soft on groups it sees as terrorists, such as the Kurdish militant outfit the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). 
    • Example: Quran-burning protests held in Sweden, which its government says are protected under freedom of speech laws.
• Present Stand: Turkey’s parliament supported Sweden’s attempt to join NATO membership. 
• Reason to Support: Sweden had tightened its anti-terrorism laws, cracked down on the PKK’s activities, and lifted restrictions on arms sales to Turkey. Sweden has also said it will support Turkey’s EU membership bid.

Hungary’s Stand on Nato Membership To Sweden

• Reason to Oppose Membership:  
  • Negative Remarks: Hungary’s grievances with Sweden are due to its negative remarks about the rule of law and state of democracy under the current Prime Minister of Hungary. 
  • Russia- Friendly: The current Prime Minister of Hungary is also more friendly with Russia than other NATO members. 
• Present Stand: After Turkey’s move, Hungary said that he had invited the Swedish Prime Minister to Budapest to discuss future cooperation in the field of security and defense as allies and partners.

What Will Sweden Bring to NATO?

• A Huge Part of Baltic Sea under NATO Territory: Once Sweden becomes a member, almost all of the Baltic Sea coastline, except that in Russia’s control, will become NATO territory. 
• Significance: This territorial control will provide:
  • Strategic bases close to Russia,
  • Make supply lines more streamlined, and 
  • Make it easier to defend assets in the sea
• Modern and Advanced Military and Equipment: Sweden’s military is modern and experienced in past NATO missions. Importantly, it has advanced aircraft and submarine capabilities. 

Conclusion

Once a country is a NATO member, an attack on its territory is considered an attack on the US-led alliance, and all 31 members are obliged to defend each other, wherein, Sweden can play a significant role.

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