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Parliament in Stockholm: After decades of military neutrality, Sweden wants to become a NATO member
Photo: CLAUDIO BRESCIANI / AFP
Sweden changes its stance on arms sales to Turkey.
For the first time in years, the government in Stockholm is willing to allow such exports.
The competent authority ISP approved the export of war material to NATO member Turkey for the first time since 2019.
According to a statement from the authorities, this is directly related to Sweden's application to be included in the military alliance.
The application for NATO membership strengthens the arguments for authorizing arms exports to other member states, including Turkey, the agency said.
It approved exports of electronic equipment, software and technical support to Ankara.
Sweden and its neighbor Finland had applied for NATO membership in mid-May because of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
Turkey initially blocked the start of this process, citing alleged Swedish and Finnish support for "terrorist organizations" such as the banned Kurdish Workers' Party PKK, the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG and the Gülen movement.
Only when Sweden and Finland signaled concessions did Turkey give up its resistance.
At the end of June, the three countries signed a declaration of intent that addressed Ankara's reservations.
Arms deliveries to Turkey also played an important role (read an analysis here).
In order for Sweden and Finland to become NATO members, their applications must be ratified by all 30 NATO members.
28 have already done so - only Turkey and Hungary are still missing.
No permits since 2019
The Strategic Products Inspectorate (ISP) is responsible for approving arms exports in Sweden.
In October 2019, the authority revoked all applicable export licenses for the export of war material to Turkey.
No new permits have been issued since then.
The change of course comes shortly after the parliamentary elections in Sweden.
The right camp got the majority of the votes.
However, the country does not yet have a new government.
Ulf Kristersson, leader of the moderates, is trying to forge a coalition.
However, he is dependent on the support of the right-wing populist Sweden Democrats.
ulz/dpa/AFP
