TURKEY LIFTS UP BLOCKS ON FINLAND & SWEDEN ENABLED THEM TO BECOME MEMBER OF NATO

USPA NEWS - The major move of NATO unveiled at the Leaders Summit, held in Madrid 28-30 June 2022, which is also marking the 40th anniversary of Spain membership in the Alliance, is the lift block on Finland and Sweden by Turkey, on their NATO’s membership bids.The three countries, Turkey, Finland and Sweden, have signed a memorandum of understanding in Madrid on Tuesday evening, ahead of the Madrid summit of NATO. Turkey had blocked the process in the first place, towards Finland and Sweden, due to alleged support for Kurdish groups and arms embargoes, blocked the process. The Russian’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a rapid positive shift toward NATO, usually less sexy, and seen as a powerful "military Club". On Monday, 27 June 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, received the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ms. Magdalena Andersson, at NATO Headquarters. On 18 May, Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO at the military alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, followed by an address of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg joined by the Swedish and Finnish ambassadors to NATO, Axel Wernhoff and Klaus Korhonen. The SG, Stoltenberg, welcomed the two future members.

The major move of NATO’s Summit, held in Madrid 28-30 June 2022, which is also marking the 40th anniversary of Spain membership in the Alliance, is the lift block on Finland and Sweden by Turkey, on their NATO’s membership bids.The three countries, Turkey, Finland and Sweden, have signed a memorandum of understanding in Madrid on Tuesday evening, ahead of the Madrid summit of NATO. Turkey had blocked the process in the first place, towards Finland and Sweden, due to alleged support for Kurdish groups and arms embargoes, blocked the process. The Russian’s invasion of Ukraine has triggered a rapid positive shift toward NATO, usually less sexy, and seen as a powerful "military Club " On Monday, 27 June 2022, the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, received the Prime Minister of Sweden, Ms. Magdalena Andersson, at NATO Headquarters. On 18 May, Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO at the military alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, followed by an address of NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg joined by the Swedish and Finnish ambassadors to NATO, Axel Wernhoff and Klaus Korhonen. The SG, Stoltenberg, welcomed the two future members. “I warmly welcome requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO,”  “You are our closest partners, and your membership in NATO will increase our shared security.”he said. It took only few weeks later for the tree countries to reach out a deal, by clearing the burden, lifted by Turkey, over Finland and Sweden, and easing the adhesion process, within NATO.

INCLUDING FINLAND & SWEDEN IS A STRATEGIC END DEFENSIVE MOVE FROM NATO IN THE FACE OF RUSSIA It is a slam to Russia, whose President reiterated his warnings about widening NATO, and especially mentioning his wish of not welcoming Ukraine as a member, that would represent a crossing line. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated at a press conference, “In NATO, we have always shown that whatever our differences, we can always sit down, find common ground and resolve any issues,”  at a press conference following the signing ceremony. He also clarified the Allies position and the extend of the commitment highlighted in the memo “Our joint memorandum underscores the commitment of Finland, Sweden and Turkey to extend their full support against threats to each other’s security,” adding that the win win deal involves Finland and Sweden “to fully support Turkey against threats to its national security.” and in particular “cracking down on PKK activities,” (PKK is a a Kurdish militant group that Turkey, the U.S. and the EU have classified as a terrorist organization) highlighting “an agreement with Türkiye on extradition and will “have no arms embargo” against Turkey” as well. It is noted that Finland and Sweden had also agreed not to “not provide support” to YPG, a Kurdish militia in Syria, nor to the movement Fethullah Gelen. On the other hand, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said in a statement. “Us becoming NATO allies will further strengthen this commitment.” Now that the deal is reached out, within the three countries, the next steps shall enroll each parliament of the thirty (30) countries members of NATO to ratify the enlargement , to validate formally the effective membership of these two Nordic countries. Finland and Sweden are both strategically located for NATO and share the same democratic values in common with the 30 members. In terms of geopolitics, Finland shares a long border with Russia in the north and Sweden sits across the Baltic Sea close to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which feel facing directly the Russian threats.

It is then a historic set forward to reinforce the trust and strengthen the unity of third (30) members of NATO, rising up to 32 after validating the membership of Finland and Sweden. The process of the inclusion of thees two members, in the light of the Ukraine’s war context, has been spectacularly fast, and effective. Indeed, to the two Scandinavian countries, formally applied for membership in mid-May. A month and a half later, this strategic move, which is also in reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine hit on 24 February 2022, as a counter bounce, in line with NATO’s doctor ne of mutual protection and collective defense, in order to sustain peace, in particular in Eastern Europe, close to Russia. The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, has been multiplying bilateral and council meetings, here the allies are to issue a final document on Thursday 30 June, after the last closing sessions. US President Joe Biden congratulated Finland, Sweden, and Turkey on signing a trilateral memorandum – a crucial step towards a NATO invite to Finland and Sweden, which will strengthen our Alliance and bolster our collective security – and a great way to begin the Summit."The U.S State Department, The U.S. Department of the Treasury, and the U.S. Department of Commerce took further actions with the G7 partners to impose consequences on Russia for its continued aggression against Ukraine. "We are united with Ukraine in the face of President Putin's war of choice." U.S Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken declared, during the G7 Summit held in Elmau, Germany, 26 June.