Sweden and Finland set to join NATO in May

[strangerinthealps]

I understand Finland and Sweden's interest, but Switzerland comes as a complete surprise.  I wonder why they want to join the program:

Swiss neutrality has been chipped away at in recent years - particularly since the February 2022 invasion.

They imposed sanctions on Russia for "serious violation of the most fundamental norms of international law". And a report from the Swiss Ministry of Defence has encouraged closer ties with NATO - including the potential for joint military exercises.

Also, while the Swiss public oppose NATO membership 2:1, recent polling showed a majority (56%) favoured closer ties and cooperation with NATO.

At this point, its part of their identity, much like Notre Dame in College Football.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Swiss neutrality obviously has a very different context now it is in a sea of nations on the same team, rather than surrounded by constantly feuding states. It made logical sense in the past to obey neutrality extremely strictly so they could be left to their own devices and avoid getting swallowed or left as collateral in a treaty between the great powers. Now, the only party they need to strictly keep on good terms with is the NATO alliance.

[○∙◄☻¥tπ[╪AV┼cVê└]

Switzerland didn't even join the UN until 2002 despite having the UN having an important building in Geneva that was the old League of Nations headquarters.

[Frodo]

NATO member-to-be Sweden and the US sign defense deal
On the brink of joining NATO, Sweden has signed a defense cooperation agreement with Washington that will allow the United States access to all of the military bases across the Scandinavian country, saying the deal would bolster regional security

[Frodo]

Turkey Puts Sweden’s NATO Bid Back on Agenda Next Week

The Foreign Affairs Committee in Ankara listed Sweden’s bid among the topics for debate on Dec. 26, according to an invitation from the panel’s chairman, Fuat Oktay, seen by Bloomberg.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

Turkey Puts Sweden’s NATO Bid Back on Agenda Next Week

The Foreign Affairs Committee in Ankara listed Sweden’s bid among the topics for debate on Dec. 26, according to an invitation from the panel’s chairman, Fuat Oktay, seen by Bloomberg.

Nice to see the progress here, even if it's slow.

[Hindsight was 2020]

https://twitter.com/turkeypulse/status/1739677952781230243?s=12

[Frodo]

So we have to wait until mid-January when the Turkish Grand National Assembly reconvenes, and Turkey finally approves Sweden's bid to join NATO:

Turkish Parliament unlikely to vote on Sweden's NATO bid for weeks

Turkey's parliament is unlikely to hold a full vote on Sweden's bid to join NATO before mid-January, parliamentary sources told AFP Thursday.

Sweden's accession to the US-led Western alliance was approved by the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, bringing an end in sight to a 19-month standoff that drew the wrath of Turkey's Western partners.

It must now be voted by the full 600-seat parliament, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority. The president would then need to sign it into law.

Although Erdogan's party could call for a special session to discuss the measure, it appears likely it will wait until after parliament's scheduled return on January 15.

And then we have to worry about Hungary.  Does anyone know when the Hungarian National Assembly convenes early next year?

[Hindsight was 2020]

So we have to wait until mid-January until the Turkish Grand National Assembly reconvenes, and Turkey finally approves Sweden's bid to join NATO:

Turkish Parliament unlikely to vote on Sweden's NATO bid for weeks

Turkey's parliament is unlikely to hold a full vote on Sweden's bid to join NATO before mid-January, parliamentary sources told AFP Thursday.

Sweden's accession to the US-led Western alliance was approved by the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, bringing an end in sight to a 19-month standoff that drew the wrath of Turkey's Western partners.

It must now be voted by the full 600-seat parliament, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority. The president would then need to sign it into law.

Although Erdogan's party could call for a special session to discuss the measure, it appears likely it will wait until after parliament's scheduled return on January 15.

And then we have to worry about Hungary.  Does anyone know when the Hungarian National Assembly convenes next year?

Not a shock as Turkey is plainly going for a quid pro quo of linking Sweden joining NATO with them getting F16s which can’t be done until congress comes back. The issue of Hungary shouldn’t be a big deal as they won’t go in alone on this especially with the fallout they’re getting in the EU

[MaxQue]

So we have to wait until mid-January when the Turkish Grand National Assembly reconvenes, and Turkey finally approves Sweden's bid to join NATO:

Turkish Parliament unlikely to vote on Sweden's NATO bid for weeks

Turkey's parliament is unlikely to hold a full vote on Sweden's bid to join NATO before mid-January, parliamentary sources told AFP Thursday.

Sweden's accession to the US-led Western alliance was approved by the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, bringing an end in sight to a 19-month standoff that drew the wrath of Turkey's Western partners.

It must now be voted by the full 600-seat parliament, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority. The president would then need to sign it into law.

Although Erdogan's party could call for a special session to discuss the measure, it appears likely it will wait until after parliament's scheduled return on January 15.

And then we have to worry about Hungary.  Does anyone know when the Hungarian National Assembly convenes early next year?

If it is the same as the previous years, last week of February.

[Frodo]

So we have to wait until mid-January until the Turkish Grand National Assembly reconvenes, and Turkey finally approves Sweden's bid to join NATO:

Turkish Parliament unlikely to vote on Sweden's NATO bid for weeks

Turkey's parliament is unlikely to hold a full vote on Sweden's bid to join NATO before mid-January, parliamentary sources told AFP Thursday.

Sweden's accession to the US-led Western alliance was approved by the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday, bringing an end in sight to a 19-month standoff that drew the wrath of Turkey's Western partners.

It must now be voted by the full 600-seat parliament, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling alliance holds the majority. The president would then need to sign it into law.

Although Erdogan's party could call for a special session to discuss the measure, it appears likely it will wait until after parliament's scheduled return on January 15.

And then we have to worry about Hungary.  Does anyone know when the Hungarian National Assembly convenes next year?

Not a shock as Turkey is plainly going for a quid pro quo of linking Sweden joining NATO with them getting F16s which can’t be done until congress comes back. The issue of Hungary shouldn’t be a big deal as they won’t go in alone on this especially with the fallout they’re getting in the EU

Still slow-walking it:

Hungarian Parliament Excludes Sweden's NATO Bid from Spring Agenda

[CumbrianLefty]

Hungary will end up as the final holdouts won't they.

[Storr]

Hungary will end up as the final holdouts won't they.

It looks like it.

AFP News Agency: "Turkish parliament to vote Tuesday on Sweden's NATO accession bid: media reports"

https://twitter.com/AFP/status/1749479030603100233?s=20

The annoying thing about Hungary throughout this whole time, has been that they haven't given any clear demands. Blame Erdogan all you want for prolonging Sweden accession the process, but at least he gave actual demands about PKK/"terrorism" and approval of the F-16 sale. Hungarian officials' latest comment was literally "Sweden hasn't reached out to us, I guess they don't want to be our friends".

"Sweden was "not taking any steps to strengthen trust in order for our relationship to become one of allies and friends", Gergely Gulyas, Orban's chief of staff, told a briefing."

"This relationship is one of allies legally right now, but it cannot be considered friendly, thus I need to conclude that it is not a priority for Sweden to join NATO quickly at all today."

[Hindsight was 2020]

https://twitter.com/b_nishanov/status/1749866331896209895
Hungary now stands alone

[Storr]

Good, Sweden shouldn't entertain Orbán's games:

""I see no reason to negotiate at this point," Billström said, responding to a request made by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. "What we hope, of course, is that Hungary will ratify membership as soon as possible."

In a letter sent Tuesday to his Swedish counterpart Ulf Krissterson and obtained by POLITICO, Orbán called for a meeting and stressed the need for "strong mutual trust ... between Sweden and Hungary.""

https://twitter.com/POLITICOEurope/status/1749846561356402805?s=20

[President Johnson]

https://twitter.com/b_nishanov/status/1749866331896209895
Hungary now stands alone

Officially approved now.

https://twitter.com/dwnews/status/1749889944321917387

[Antonio the Sixth]

There's no way Orban has the political leeway to stand up to the combined NATO on this. He'll grumble but I have to imagine he'll ratify Sweden's accession in a matter of months.

[ηєω ƒяσηтιєя]

Finally, Turkey did the right thing. Orban can go f**k himself.

[Middle-aged Europe]

Wait, what, Turkey approves NATO membership for Sweden? What is this? 2022?

[Hindsight was 2020]

https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1750137900165926977

[Okay, maybe Mike Johnson is a competent parliamentarian.]

https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1750137900165926977

Demand nothing concrete, get nothing concrete. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

[CumbrianLefty]

At the end of the day, Orban still needs all that wholesome EU gravy to lubricate his "project".

[MasterJedi]

Orban was always going to approve once Turkey did. He was just trying to cozy up to that dictator.

In the end he needs to be told if there IS ever a war with Russia and he actively doesn’t help the alliance then regime change will happen once Russia is beaten.

[Frodo]

https://twitter.com/PM_ViktorOrban/status/1750137900165926977

Is that a fact?

Orbán’s party boycotts a session of Hungary’s parliament to further stall Sweden’s bid to join NATO

[Storr]

Do I trust Orban? Heck no. But I'll take it over nothing:

"Hungary's parliament will be ready to ratify Sweden's NATO membership when it convenes for its spring session, which begins at the end of this month, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said."