Photo : REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo
17 January 2022, Tuesday | NIAS Europe Daily Brief #412
IN FOCUS
By Madhura S Mahesh
On 15 January, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that Sweden should extradite or deport all the terrorists for Turkey to approve their NATO membership bid. Erdoğan added: “First of all, they need to extradite nearly 130 terrorists in order for their bids to pass our parliament, (but) unfortunately they have yet to do this.” This comes as PPK members staged a protest in Stockholm by hanging a puppet of Erdoğan outside the city hall.
On the same day, Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that the negotiations with Turkey were in a “very good position.” Kristersson added: “The situation in terms of the negotiations, or rather the follow-up of the memorandum, is going well.” He previously condemned the protests saying that it was “sabotage” against Sweden’s bid for NATO membership.
Sweden drew further criticism from Turkey after Swedish prosecutors on 16 January dismissed accusations against PKK members for slandering Erdoğan. The prosecutors said that their actions on 12 January is not a criminal offence. The prosecutors added that no spokesperson of Erdoğan’s AK Party Omer Celik criticised the decision and said: “If you protect a terrorist group who threatens our country, attacks our citizens and the military, then we cannot talk about an alliance here.”
Who are the 130 terrorists?
Erdoğan’s demand for the extradition of 130 terrorists is concerning the Trilateral Memorandum signed by Turkey, Finland and Sweden in June 2022. The Memorandum outlined Sweden and Finland’s support for Turkey’s fight against YPG/PYD, FETO and the PKK which are designated terrorist organisations. The memorandum also outlines Finland and Sweden’s commitment to addressing unresolved deportation or extradition requests by Turkey. Erdoğan previously had said that Sweden has aggreged to extradite 73 terrorists, 33 of the 73 were identified by the Turkish daily Hurriyet as people linked to the PKK.
Erdoğan on 15 January also referred to a joint conference held in November with Kristersson where Erdoğan demanded the extradition of Bulent Kenes, the former editor-in-chief of Today’s Zaman and suspected member of the FETO. He said: “Interestingly, their court rejected the deportation of Bulent Kenes to us.”
Turkey has previously applied for the extradition of suspected members of the OKK and other terrorist organizations but has been rejected many times. Out of the 33 individuals previously identified, 19 individuals' extradition requirements were rejected by Stockholm's Supreme Court. The Supreme Court has said that it will not be reopening the cases that have been processed.
Extradition in Sweden is decided by independent courts and political leaders do not have a say in the final verdict. Additionally, individuals are not extradited on the grounds of political crimes or if they are at risk of persecution. While Sweden does extradite foreign nationals but only if it is according to the European Convention on Extradition. Additionally, it does not extradite Swedish citizens and the declared offences must be considered a crime in Sweden.
Road Ahead
On 14 January, Turkey’s Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin said that Turkey running short of time to ratify Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership. Kalin said: "We have a time issue if they want to join NATO before the NATO summit in June." He attributed this to the upcoming Turkish parliamentary and presidential elections which are said to be held in May 2023.
Sweden on its part has been introducing new laws which will change the definitions of terrorism making it easy to implement the agreements of the Trilateral Memorandum. While Turkey has praised these measures it is of the view that Sweden needs to send a “clear message” to terrorist groups saying that it is no more a safe haven.
References
Merve Aydogan “Sweden must extradite terrorists if wants to join NATO: Türkiye,” Anadolu Agency, 15 January 2023
“Sweden and Turkey give mixed messages over NATO bid,” Deutsche Welle, 16 Jan 2023
“TRILATERAL MEMORANDUM,” um.fi, 29 June 2022
Phelan Chatterjee “Who are 'terrorists' Turkey wants from Sweden and Finland?,” BBC, 05 July 2022
“'Unacceptable': Anger in Türkiye as Sweden rejects case against PKK backers,” TRT World, 16 January 2023
“Erdogan aide says time running out to ratify Sweden, Finland NATO bids,” Reuters, 14 January 2023
War in Ukraine: Day 327
War on the Ground
On 16 January, European Commission’s Executive Vice-President Valdis Dombrovskis tweeted on the macro-financial assistance to Ukraine. He confirmed the signing of MoU with Ukraine, which will finance EUR 18 billion as financial aid. Of which three billion has been given to help Ukraine stabilize its payments for 2023.
On 16 January, Ukraine’s Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal released a statement in Telegram on the meeting with the US Secretary of the State Wendy Sherman. The discussion focused on Dnipro attack that resulted in death of many Ukrainians and critical challenges posed by Russia, humanitarian support, financial aid, and restoring energy blocs.
The Moscow View
Claims by Russia
On 16 January, Kremlin reported on the call between Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. During the call the leaders discussed on boosting cooperation in energy, natural gas, and building of a “regional gas hub.” Putin highlighted Ukraine’s policy as destructive, and stated that hostility will continue with the West supplying more arms and equipment. They also discussed on “unblocking” the shipment of Russian food and fertilizer.
On 16 January, RT reported on Russian Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev comments on Ukraine’s drone attacks in Sevastopol. Razvozhayev reported on two continuous sets of attacks launched by Ukraine using UAV’s, which was observed to be limited as it failed to reach the targets and Russia claimed to have taken down all 10 drones. Till now five attacks have targeted Sevastopol near Belbek airport and above the Black Sea.
The West View
Responses from the US and Europe
On 16 January, Deutsche Welle reported the visit of US military's chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Mark Milley to southern Germany. On 15 January, the US military began training the Ukrainian soldiers to handle “new combined arms.” According to Milley, the training is aimed to last between five to eight weeks to target close to 500 troops “combat-ready,” to launch offensives and counter Russian attacks. He added: “This support is really important for Ukraine to be able to defend itself.” Apart from this, US Army Air Defense Artillery school in Oklahoma, commander Colonel Curtis King confirmed the training of the Ukrainians on tasks relating to “operator and maintainer” of the Patriot Air Defence system.
On 16 January, in an address at the Hague, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock called for “special international tribunal,” to address the crimes, gather financial support, and to “underpin the impartiality and legitimacy of this court.”
Global Fallouts
On 16 January, IAEA authorities reached South Ukraine for monitoring the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The IAEA team is expected to stay till safety and the hostility situation ends. According to IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi: “Taking into account all the risks and the current situation, we came to the conclusion that we need to strengthen the agency's presence at Ukrainian nuclear power plants.” In the mission, two “safety experts” will stay to monitor the plant, give technical support, record “off-site” events and report the findings.
References
“Honoured to sign MoU on behalf of the EU to provide Ukraine,” Valdis Dombrovskis/Twitter, 16 January 2023
“PM Shmyhal, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Sherman discuss energy infrastructure restoration, financial aid,” Ukrinform, 16 January 2023
“IAEA representatives arrive at South Ukraine NPP,” Ukrinform, 16 January 2023
“Putin and Erdogan discuss ‘priorities’,” RT, 16 January 2023
“Telephone conversation with President of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan,” Kremlin.ru, 16 January 2023
“Black Sea port repels two Ukrainian drone attacks within 24 hours – official,” RT, 16 January 2023
“Ukraine updates: US trains Ukrainian forces in Germany,” Deutsche Welle, 16 January 2023
IN BRIEF
ESTONIA
Ministry of Foreign Affairs proposed to form contiguous zone up to 24 nautical miles
On 17 January, ERR reported on Estonia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu statement on establishing a “contiguous zone” in the maritime area. Reinsalu stated that through setting up the zone Estonia will be able to implement its legislation “up to 24 nautical miles” from the territorial baseline. This will help the security and guard the environment present in the zone. Apart from this the zone also has economic benefit to monitor customs, tax, immigration, and to impose sanctions on Russia on violation. According to UNCLOS, a contiguous zone for any can be only up to 12 nautical miles from outer limit. Estonia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry said that Finland which does not have one, but Estonia can extend in the west to 24 without affecting its state borders. (“Estonian foreign ministry wants to extend controlled maritime area,” ERR, 17 January 2023)
INTERNATIONAL
India and France conduct joint naval exercise in Arabian Sea
On 16 January, India’s Ministry of Defence released a statement on initiating the bilateral naval exercise between India and France. The exercise known as Varuna started in the Western Seaboard, where stealth destroyer INS Chennai, “Guided missile frigate INS Teg, maritime patrol aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29K fighter aircraft,” took part and France navy was represented by “Charles De Gaulle, frigates FS Forbin and Provence, support vessel FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.” This exercise aims to excel war-fighting, interoperability skills in the maritime domain to ensure peace and stability. (“France And India Kick Off VARUNA 2023 Naval Exercise,” Navalnews, 17 January 2023)
THE UK
Government blocks Scotland’s gender reform bill
On 16 January, the UK blocked the legislation on legal process to change gender passed by the Scottish parliament resulting in a clash between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Nicola Strugeon. She said: “This is a full-frontal attack on our democratically elected Scottish parliament and its ability to make its own decisions on devolved matters.” The move was observed to be cutting across UK’s Equalities Act of 2010, one of the reasons behind the block. Previously the Scottish Parliament approved to lower the age limit for “gender recognition” to 16 without medical analysis, this was countered by the UK government as it was viewed as bringing two set of rules within. (George Parker and Lukanyo Mnyanda, “Sunak in constitutional clash with Sturgeon over gender reform bill,” FT, 17 January 2023)
REGIONAL
Western banks at rifle as they try to exit Russia
On 16 January, FT reported on the Western banks attempt to step out of Russia being barred by law passed by Russia’s President Vladimir Putin. The law introduced by Putin does not allow companies listed under the “unfriendly countries” to complete deals without his approval. This includes close to 45 companies which have been made to stay, while few have left at huge cost. The reason behind the strain on the Western banks operating in Russia is due to the influence of some “powerful Russians” in the entity. One of the examples was HSBC, which agreed to sell its subsidiary to Russia’s Expobank to exit but now has been withheld as Expobank has to get approved from Putin. In the other case, SocGen, French bank with a huge exposure to Russia was able to exit through selling to one of richest Russian’s Potanin, but was forced to take EUR 3.3 billion, with EUR 1.5 billion loss. (“Western banks struggle to exit Russia after Putin intervention,” FT, 16 January 2023)
ITALY
Italy’s most influential gangster in 1980’s arrested
On 16 January, FT reported on the arrest of Sicilian mafia boss, Matteo Messina Denaro aged 60 by the Italian police after 30 years of search. Denaro known as “powerful bosses” of Cosa Nostra a criminal organisation that was active during late 1980’s to early 1990’s through “deadly bombings” in Rome, Florence and Milan. The last three decades Denaro has been escaping the arrest despite the arrest of his associates. Being one of influential gangster was convicted with life sentences, homicides, car bombings murders, emerged as one of the gangster force in international drugs trade in Italy. (Amy Kazmin, “Italy’s most-wanted mafia boss Matteo Messina Denaro arrested in Sicily,” FT, 16 January 2023)