Stoltenberg: I ​​expect Sweden and Finland to join NATO by 2023

Sweden and Finland could join NATO in 2023, the Alliance’s secretary general estimated today, reminding, however, that developments will depend on the parliaments of Turkey and Hungary.

“I expect (that the accession will take place in 2023) but I cannot guarantee the exact date because it is certainly a decision of the parliaments of Turkey and Hungary which have not yet ratified the agreement,” Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview he gave to French Agency.

Hungary, but especially Turkey, have been blocking the two Nordic countries from joining NATO since May.

“We held negotiations, and they were quite demanding, last July when Turkey, Finland and Sweden reached a memorandum in which they described how they could intensify their cooperation, both in the field of arms exports but also, for example, in fight against terrorism,” Stoltenberg also recalled.

“Finland and Sweden have adhered to the agreement and are committed to a long-term cooperation with Turkey on these issues. Consequently, it is time to finalize the accession process and ratify the accession protocol,” he added.

Earlier, Sweden’s prime minister criticized some of Turkey’s demands. In December, Turkey’s Supreme Court refused to extradite journalist Bulent Kenes to Ankara, as requested by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Ankara “is also saying that it wants things that we cannot and do not want to give it,” Ulf Christerson told a conference on defense and security.

However, Stoltenberg acknowledged that this is a rapid accession process. “Certainly, I would like it to be finalized as soon as possible. But at the same time, it is a fast process, compared to all NATO accession processes. I am convinced that it will happen but I reserve the right to guess when exactly,” he concluded.