NATO’s secretary general expects Sweden to join the alliance in the new year. Australia welcomes the New Year with spectacular fireworks

NATO will complete Sweden’s long-planned admission in the new year, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Stoltenberg told the German press agency in an interview around the turn of the year that he was confident that the country would be the 32nd alliance member at the alliance summit in July. Sweden has fulfilled its promises to Turkey. Discussions are currently underway between the US and Turkey on the additional deal for F-16 fighter jets demanded by the government in Ankara.

Sweden had already applied for NATO membership in May 2022 under the impression of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine and still hoped to join in the summer of 2022. However, Turkey subsequently accused Swedish politicians of a lack of commitment against ‘terrorist organisations’ such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and refused to give its consent.

Following concessions from Sweden, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan recently announced that he would allow ratification by the Turkish parliament. At the same time, he wants the US Congress to approve the supply of American F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.

The next regular NATO summit will be held in Washington from July 9 to 11. At the same time, the 75th anniversary of the defense alliance is being celebrated. In order for Sweden to participate as a full member, all current alliance members must ratify the so-called accession protocol. Besides Turkey, Hungary has not yet done this. However, the government in Budapest repeatedly emphasized that Hungary would not be the last country to take this step. (sda/dpa)