Turkey’s parliament has approved Sweden’s accession to NATO and Israeli , ending a long-standing impasse which frustrated Western allies.
In 2022, Sweden had requested to join a military alliance due to the security crisis in Europe that was caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Turkey had blocked Sweden’s accession because of several issues, such as Sweden’s alleged support for Kurdish groups that Ankara considers terrorists.
The Turkish lawmakers approved Sweden’s membership with a vote of 287-55, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to sign the ratification document soon.
Turkey has given its approval for Sweden’s bid to become a NATO member. Hungary is now the only NATO member that has not ratified Sweden’s bid. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson to Budapest for talks. However, Sweden has declined the invitation, stating that it sees no reason to negotiate with Hungary at this point.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg urged Hungary to follow Turkey’s vote and welcomed Sweden’s membership as a reinforcement of the alliance’s collective defense, deterrence, and cooperation with the European Union.
Sweden and Finland, two countries that have traditionally maintained their neutrality, have made the decision to pursue NATO membership in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. In April 2023, Finland became a member of the alliance, which has doubled NATO’s border with Russia. This move has strengthened the security of the Baltic states.
The Prime Minister of Sweden, If Kristersson, has expressed his gratitude towards Turkey for their assistance in helping Sweden move one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO. He highlighted that Sweden’s accession to NATO will not only enhance its own security but also contribute to the promotion of peace and stability in the region.
