Sweden's bid to join NATO was finally approved by Turkey on Tuesday, after a 20-month delay.
Reuters reports that Turkey's general assembly voted 287-55 to approve the application from 2022 that Sweden submitted, to strengthen its country's security amid the Ukraine war.
"I greatly appreciate the Turkish Parliament's decision to approve Sweden's entry into NATO today," U.S. Ambassador Jeff Flake said Tuesday, adding that Turkey's "commitment to the NATO Alliance clearly demonstrates our enduring partnership."
Turkey and Hungary had previously held out on granting their approval for ratification due to their beliefs that Sweden and Finland were protecting terrorist groups. The duo also maintains closer relations with Russia than any other NATO member.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom celebrated the long-awaited approval and said: "We now look forward to President Erdogan signing the ratification document."
Erdogan, Turkey's President, linked the ratification to the the US approving sales of F-16 fighter jets to his country. He is expected to sign the ratification in the next few days.
After that, Hungary will be the only member that has not yet approved Sweden's membership. All NATO members are required to approve applications of potential members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he will "count on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible."
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Tuesday that he had invited the Prime Minister of Sweden to visit his country and negotiate the membership approval.
Reuters reports that Turkey's general assembly voted 287-55 to approve the application from 2022 that Sweden submitted, to strengthen its country's security amid the Ukraine war.
"I greatly appreciate the Turkish Parliament's decision to approve Sweden's entry into NATO today," U.S. Ambassador Jeff Flake said Tuesday, adding that Turkey's "commitment to the NATO Alliance clearly demonstrates our enduring partnership."
Turkey and Hungary had previously held out on granting their approval for ratification due to their beliefs that Sweden and Finland were protecting terrorist groups. The duo also maintains closer relations with Russia than any other NATO member.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom celebrated the long-awaited approval and said: "We now look forward to President Erdogan signing the ratification document."
Erdogan, Turkey's President, linked the ratification to the the US approving sales of F-16 fighter jets to his country. He is expected to sign the ratification in the next few days.
After that, Hungary will be the only member that has not yet approved Sweden's membership. All NATO members are required to approve applications of potential members.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that he will "count on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible."
Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced on Tuesday that he had invited the Prime Minister of Sweden to visit his country and negotiate the membership approval.
