The ratification by the Turkish parliament, which is still awaiting Sweden’s accession to NATO, has removed a new hurdle. The responsible parliamentary committee in Ankara sent Sweden’s NATO accession protocol to the plenary for a vote on Tuesday, state news agency Anadolu reported. Sweden’s application to join the Western military alliance has yet to be approved there. A time for the vote had not yet been announced.
In view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022. Finland was welcomed into the alliance as the 31st member in early April. For Sweden to accept, the country still needs approval from Turkey and Hungary.
The two countries are the last two NATO members whose parliaments have not yet ratified the accession protocols for Sweden. Turkey has delayed ratification by more than a year, accusing Sweden of a lack of action against “terrorist organizations” such as the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and refusing to give its consent. After concessions from Sweden, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced in late October that he would allow ratification by the Turkish parliament – but it has been stuck in committee since then. Erdogan recently approved the US supply of modern F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the committee’s decision in the Turkish parliament. “I count on Turkey and Hungary to complete ratification as soon as possible. Swedish membership will make NATO stronger,” Stoltenberg said. (sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
