According to Reuters, the foreign affairs commission of the Turkish parliament has approved Sweden’s NATO membership bid, ending 19 months of delays. This marks a significant step forward in enlarging the Western bloc. The next step in the process is a full parliament vote, which is also expected to pass. It is likely to be held within weeks, and Turkish President Erdogan would then sign it into law to conclude the process.
Sweden and Finland both applied to join NATO last year as a response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Ankara ratified Finland’s membership, it raised objections to Sweden’s bid, citing concerns over Stockholm’s perceived protection of groups that Ankara considers to be terrorists.
Despite Hungary, another NATO member, also not ratifying Sweden’s membership, Turkey is considered the main barrier to adding the Scandinavian nation to the military alliance and strengthening its defenses in the Baltic Sea region. The delays in Sweden’s NATO membership bid have tested Ankara’s Western ties and frustrated some of its allies.
(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever,; Writing by Ece Toksabay; Editing by Tuvan Gumrukcu)
