Turkey Approves Sweden's NATO Membership Application After 20 Months Delay (image@ NATO)

Turkey approves Sweden’s NATO membership bid, clearing the biggest hurdle in expanding the Western military alliance after 20 months of delay. Turkey’s General Assembly, in which President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling alliance holds a majority voted i287-55 to approve the application which was first made in 2022 by Sweden to enhance its security in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In order to approve the application from the countries seeking to join the alliance, all countries should approve the application. When Sweden and Finland asked the join the alliance in 2022, Turkey raised objections over what is said was the two countries’ protection of groups it deemed as terrorists. While endorsing for Finland’s membership in April 2023, along with Hungary, Turkey kept Sweden waiting.

“We support NATO enlargement to improve the alliance’s deterrence efforts…we hope Finland and Sweden’s attitude towards fighting terrorism sets an example for our other allies”, Fuat Oktay, head of parliament”s foreign affairs commission and a ruling AK Party member, said during debate, as quoted by Reuters.

Tobias Billstrom, Turkish Foreign Minister welcomed the Turkish Parliament’s approval and said, “we now look forward to President Erdogan signing the ratification document” in a written statement.

Erdogan is expected to sign the legislation in few days. This will leave Hungary as the only member state to not to approve Sweden’s application to join the alliance. Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General said that he count on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible. Earlier, Hungary Prime Minster, Viktor Orban has invited his Hungary counterpart to negotiate Hungary’s joining the alliance.

From other members of the NATO alliance, Turkey and Hungary hold better relationship with Russia. While opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Turkey also criticised the Western sanction on Russia.