Two “experts” on international politics speak of a “negotiation game” with Ankara on the issue of Sweden and Finland joining NATO, with the aim of some “exchanges”.
Asked in particular by the French newspaper Le Figaro if Turkey could block the accession process of Finland and Sweden to NATO, Cyril Brett, a professor of political science at the Sorbonne, said that each member state had a de facto veto and that Turkey’s objection is due to the presence in the territory of the two Nordic countries of the PKK, which is considered a terrorist organization by Ankara.
Another deterrent is the relationship between Erdogan and Putin, which according to Didier Beyoncé, deputy director of the Institute for International and Strategic Relations (IRIS), is an “important factor”, as is the political situation in Turkey. According to the French analyst, Erdogan’s veto on Sweden and Finland joining NATO “is a way to appear as the head of the Turkish state that resists external pressure” in the run-up to next year’s elections.
The two experts conclude that “a game of negotiation is taking place” so that Ankara can demand “compensation”. Among the possible “exchanges”, the extradition of PKK members from Sweden and Finland is estimated first. Secondly, the lifting of the EU arms embargo. Finally, Turkey could ask to be no longer excluded from US armaments programs and seek compensation. “Turkey has every interest in asking to be included in all discussions on the Black Sea region,” they said.
As to whether it is possible to satisfy these aspirations, it is commented that, as far as European embargoes or US armaments programs are concerned, they do not seem to be inaccessible. The “situation is difficult” regarding the extradition request of PKK members. “Not only are there legal remedies that can prevent extradition, but there is also the issue of public opinion. [..]”, explains Beyonce
In any case, although NATO can not formally force Turkey to accept the accession of the two Scandinavian countries, “it is not in Ankara’s interest to alienate itself from the Alliance countries,” Beyonce said, adding that Turkey , although it has the means to permanently prevent Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, it is estimated that “the door is not completely closed” and there are exchanges that could change its mind.
SOURCE: AMPE
Source: Capital
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