NATO Shouldn’t Let Erdogan Delay Expansion

Source:Bloomberg Date:25Jan2023

Bloomberg Editors

The US and Europe need to break this impasse. President Joe Biden should make clear that while Turkey has a right to voice concerns about Kurdish terrorism, it should not come at the expense of efforts to strengthen NATO. Negotiations over the extradition of Turkish nationals should be handled directly with Sweden, distinct from the NATO enlargement process. Alliance leaders should press Erdogan to approve the Nordic countries’ bid no later than May 18, which would be a full year since they applied for membership. If Turkey resists, the US Congress should respond by halting the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Ankara.