President Erdogan gave green light to Sweden and Finland… But, did Turkey get what it wanted?

ARTICLE by MUSTAFA K. ERDEMOL – We are sharing herewith with THANKS to prominent journalist Mustafa K. Erdemol his important article about the agreement of Turkey to Nato memberships of Finland and Sweden and its eventual consequences. The article was translated from Turkish language.

“President Erdogan gave green light to Sweden and Finland… But, did Turkey get what it wanted?

Turkey’s “barrier” in front of Finland and Sweden that applied to NATO for membership with the argument that Russia posed a threat to them after the war it entered into with Ukraine, seems to have been lifted now. In Madrid, the capital of Spain, a joint declaration of Turkey-Sweden-Finland was signed after the meeting among Erdogan, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Swedish Prime Minister Magdelena Anderson and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The joint statement said, “Finland and Sweden unequivocally condemn the attacks carried out by all terrorist organizations against Turkey. Finland and Sweden undertake to prevent the activities of the PKK and all other terrorist organizations and related parties.”

USA: NO INCENTIVES, NO CONCESSIONS

When looked at it from the view of AK Party, it can be considered that Turkey has made both countries do what it wanted them to do, indirectly having concessions from NATO and the United States. However, Erdogan who was observed to be developing a fairly determined objection for a short time seems to have managed to secure no concession – whether it be from Nato or USA – to withdraw his objection.

It is important that an official from the Joe Biden administration told the Associated Press that Washington had not offered Turkey any special incentives or concessions to renounce its opposition to the proposals of the Nordic countries, which had to be unanimously approved by the 27 members of NATO.

Why would they encourage or compromise, anyway? The economy which is bad as the 2023 elections are approaching, is Erdogan’s weakest point. A small pressure made by the United States for the release of Reverend Brunson led to the fall of the Turkish Lira. Who can say that if he continues to stick to his objection, there will be no interventions for the Turkish Lira? There is also a high probability that if Erdogan continues to object, he may be isolated within NATO.

HAVE CONCESSIONS BEEN MADE TO TURKEY?

I’m not happy writing this. As someone who advocates leaving NATO and wishes that this mechanism, an organization of war, would disappear, I am particularly sad. Of course, no one expects Erdogan to use the veto card, which is in the hands of all NATO members, as an opportunity to block NATO’s expansion. Erdogan reduced himself to the status of a negotiator, using the ”veto card“ in exchange for receiving small concessions, and also did not receive a ”new” concession for following reasons.

1) Sweden and Finland recognize the PKK as a “terrorist organization”. That is, it is not like the two countries have not declared this organization a terrorist organization in order to satisfy Erdogan’s objection. They already accept the EU definition of “terrorist” for these organizations, of which they are members.

2) Sweden’s easing of the arms embargo against Turkey is not an acquisition. Also, as a country that needs to search for a market, Sweden’s arms embargo on Turkey was not expected to last long. But this does not mean that Sweden will sell weapons to Turkey, right away.

3) The implementation of the promises made by Sweden and Finland to Turkey will take place after it becomes a member of NATO. In other words, although they might not openly break their promises, it is also possible that they will not stick to their promises if the “conjuncture” changes.

4) The statement by the Greek government that said “We pleased that the Turkish president has not continued the negotiations for a long time” should be considered a sign Erdogan may also meet with the Greek Prime Minister Miçotakis, who he referred to saying, “I will never talk if there is a request for an interview”, before long.

5) The fact that NATO will strengthen its European wing with the participation of the two countries in question makes it clear who is to benefit from the “deal”.

The details of what exactly was agreed on in the joint statement are extremely vague.

The Swedish independent deputy Amineh Kakabaveh of Kurdish origin and close to PYD/YPG accepted as allies by USA (and its allies) within the strıcture called Allied Democratic Forces of Syria, said it was alarming that “Sweden had not revealed promises given to Erdoğan” noting the support of the government depended on a majority in parliament. This is important from the following point of view. Sweden will definitely explain what it has given, and we will understand at that time what was actually given to Turkey. However, it seems that the concessions (!) that Sweden “made” are not more important than losing NATO membership.

Isn’t it obvious that Sweden and Finland are the winners?”

SOURCE: halktv.com.tr/makale/isvec-ile-finlandiyaya-yesil-isik-yakti-turkiye-istedigini-aldi-mi-682359