WASHINGTON: U.S. President Joe Biden is set to host Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in an eagerly anticipated meeting at the White House on Wednesday, as the NATO summit in Lithuania looms on the horizon where Swedish request to join the bloch will be discussed.
The Swedish government’s desire to join NATO stems from the alarming events surrounding Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year. At the 2022 NATO summit, Sweden’s accession received the endorsement of NATO leaders. However, the approval process requires unanimous agreement among current members, and both Turkey and Hungary are yet to ratify Sweden’s bid.
In a simultaneous move, Finland also sought NATO membership alongside Sweden and was successfully admitted in April, reinforcing the urgent need for Sweden to expedite its NATO integration.
“President Biden and Prime Minister Kristersson will meticulously examine the escalating scope of our security cooperation and emphatically reiterate their shared conviction that Sweden’s entry into NATO should occur without delay,” stated White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre in a press release issued last week, According to VoA.
Turkiye opposes Sweden
Turkiye, though, has levelled allegations against Sweden, accusing the country of being excessively lenient towards groups that Turkiye deems to be terrorist organizations.
To address these concerns and find common ground, a comprehensive agreement was reached among Turkiye, Sweden, and Finland. Sweden, in accordance with the agreement, has implemented a series of reforms, including the establishment of a stringent anti-terrorism law.
On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg intends to convene a gathering involving representatives from all three countries to facilitate constructive discussions.
In addition to NATO-related matters, Jean-Pierre underscored that the discussions between President Biden and Prime Minister Kristersson would encompass coordinated approaches towards China. Both leaders recognize the significance of addressing the challenges posed by China and the need for a unified stance within NATO.
Furthermore, the two dignitaries plan to deliberate on climate change and emerging technologies, recognizing their critical importance in shaping the future geopolitical landscape.
As President Biden and Prime Minister Kristersson prepare to engage in this high-profile meeting, the world will be closely watching the outcome, which has the potential to significantly influence regional and global security dynamics.
