IKV Chairperson Ayhan Zeytinoğlu made a statement on the approval of the protocol regarding to Sweden's NATO membership by the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (GNAT). Chairperson Zeytinoğlu emphasized the importance of overcoming the obstacles to the process, which has been ongoing since May 2022, both in terms of bilateral relations and European security. Chairperson Zeytinoğlu said the following:

“Türkiye had legitimate concerns about Sweden's NATO membership. It was important that Sweden agreed Türkiye's security concerns and justified demands, especially in the fight against terrorism, and took steps in this direction. In addition, Sweden's NATO membership was at the forefront of talks with the US. At the NATO Summit, President Erdoğan gave the green light to Sweden's NATO membership with a surprise decision. Afterwards, the approval of Sweden's NATO membership became a matter of time. In this process, it was in keeping with the seriousness of international relations not to drag the issue out any longer. It was important both for NATO's deterrence and to counter the threat posed by Russia. Sweden undoubtedly does not have a great military power. But with a modern army and a strategic location in the Baltics, it is a significant partner for European security. It is a country that has warm relations with Türkiye going back to Charles XII, and that has been warmly welcoming Türkiye's membership in the EU, especially in the 2000s. It would be desirable to accelerate bilateral relations in political, cultural, and economic fields by overcoming the NATO barrier.”