On Tuesday, the Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee approved Sweden’s NATO membership bid, marking progress in the Nordic country’s accession process, which had been hindered by opposition from Turkey and Hungary. The Swedish NATO bid had faced delays, and the situation became more complicated when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan linked it to Ankara’s request for F-16 fighter jets from the United States. Sweden and Finland sought to join NATO after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, dropping their long-standing military non-alignment. While their bids received fast-track approval from NATO members, including Turkey and Hungary, the latter two initially resisted but eventually relented. Finland was accepted as NATO’s 31st member in April.
Turkey and Hungary are the only remaining NATO members yet to ratify Sweden’s bid, which was submitted 19 months ago. The approval by the Turkish parliamentary committee clears the way for a vote in the full parliament, where Erdogan’s ruling alliance holds the majority of seats. The specific timing of the parliamentary vote is yet to be determined. The development comes as NATO continues to adapt to geopolitical shifts and challenges, with Sweden seeking closer ties with the alliance amid regional concerns.
Post Your Comments