The implementation of new anti-terrorism legislation this week could potentially pave the way for Sweden's NATO membership in the coming weeks and help overcome

a veto from Turkey, according to Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership. While Finland's application was accepted in April, Sweden's bid has been delayed by Turkey despite a previous agreement in Madrid to address its security concerns.

Billstrom emphasized that the new legislation would close a gap in Sweden's existing anti-terrorist laws, stating, "Sweden has not previously prohibited participation in a terrorist organization. We will do this now."

Turkey has accused Sweden of harboring members of militant groups it considers terrorists. The newly enacted legislation, which Billstrom believes fulfills Sweden's commitments from the Madrid agreement, criminalizes organizing meetings, providing logistical or financial assistance, and even offering food to outlawed groups.

The broad scope of the law has raised concerns in Sweden regarding potential infringements on freedom of speech and other fundamental rights. Nevertheless, the Swedish government hopes that the legislation will persuade Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who was recently re-elected, to grant approval for Sweden's NATO membership before the alliance summit in Vilnius scheduled for July.

Despite pressure from various parties, including the United States, Erdogan has so far remained resistant. Billstrom expressed his expectation that a NATO gathering in Oslo this week would emphasize the urgency of Sweden's accession.

While Billstrom had hoped to meet with his Turkish counterpart, Mevlut Cavusoglu, in Oslo, it was announced that the Turkish Foreign Minister would not attend. Nevertheless, Billstrom noted that the two countries would engage in discussions within the framework of the Madrid process, which he deemed more significant than a mere ministerial meeting.

Sweden's new counterterrorism legislation may face an early test, as Turkey expects Sweden to prosecute individuals who displayed the flag of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) on the parliament building in Stockholm during the Turkish elections. The PKK has been engaged in an insurgency against the Turkish state since 1984, resulting in over 40,000 casualties. It is designated as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the European Union, and the United States. Photo by DOD photo by U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Jerry Morrison, Wikimedia commons.