U.S. Expects Sweden's NATO Accession In 'Weeks Ahead', Blinken Says

Washington D.C./31.05.23/Turan:   The United States expects Sweden’s accession to NATO to be finalized 'in the weeks ahead,' TURAN's Washington correspondent reports.

“We have no doubt that it can be, and it should be and we expect it to be,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken told a news conference along with Swedish PM Ulf Kristersson.

"... [I]t’s to Türkiye’s credit that it’s been able to focus all of the Alliance on some of these concerns, but it’s to Sweden’s credit, as well as Finland’s credit, that they’ve taken concrete action to address those concerns," he added.

According to the State Department, Blinken on Tuesday also spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to offer his congratulations on President Erdogan’s re-election.

They highlighted the importance of NATO unity, and Blinken "reiterated his strong belief that Sweden is ready to join the Alliance now." the Department said in a readout of the call.

The move came just a day after President Biden spoke with newly reelected Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and discussed the potential of approving the sale of new U.S. fighter jets if Ankara drops its objections to Sweden joining NATO.

In the meantime. Washiington believes that the two issues are separate.

“... [F]rom our perspective, we believe that both should go forward and should go forward as quickly as possible, that is to say, Sweden’s accession and moving forward on the F-16 package,” Blinken explained.

Alex Raufoglu