Türkiye approves Sweden's NATO membership bid after 20-month delay

World

10:30 | 24.01.2024

Türkiye approves Sweden's NATO membership bid after 20-month delay

Türkiye's parliament ratified Sweden's NATO membership bid on Tuesday, reported from Reuters.

Türkiye's general assembly, where President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling alliance holds a majority, voted 287-55 to approve Sweden's application.

All NATO members need to approve applications from countries seeking to join the alliance. When Sweden and Finland asked to join in 2022, Türkiye raised objections over what it said was the two countries' protection of groups it deems terrorists.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the Turkish move and said: "I also count on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible."

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