VILNIUS (Reuters) – In a significant development, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has given his support to Sweden’s bid to join the NATO military alliance. The announcement was made by Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, on the eve of the NATO summit in Vilnius.
During a news conference, Stoltenberg disclosed that President Erdogan has agreed to move forward with the accession protocol for Sweden’s membership in NATO. The protocol will be presented to the grand national assembly at the earliest opportunity, and close collaboration will be maintained with the assembly to ensure its ratification.
The decision comes as a welcome surprise amidst Sweden’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its defense and security cooperation with NATO. The move is expected to enhance Sweden’s strategic position and provide it with the benefits of being part of the influential military alliance.
Commenting on the development, Stoltenberg expressed his satisfaction and stated, “I’m glad to announce … that President Erdogan has agreed to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the grand national assembly as soon as possible, and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification.”
The news has garnered attention and drawn positive reactions from diplomatic circles and security experts alike. This development is likely to have far-reaching implications for Sweden’s security arrangements and contribute to the overall stability of the NATO alliance.
Reporting on the matter, correspondents John Irish and Sabine Siebold highlighted the importance of this decision in their report. The article was penned by Justyna Pawlak and edited by Niklas Pollard.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
