Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has submitted Sweden’s application to join NATO to parliament for ratification. Turkey had blocked Sweden’s access to the defense alliance for months. However, a partner still needs to be convinced.
Erdogan signed the accession protocol and forwarded it to the Grand National Assembly, the presidential office announced on Monday. Approval is considered likely: Erdogan’s Islamic-conservative AKP alliance has a majority in parliament.
Erdogan blocked over “terror”
The government in Ankara had repeatedly justified its blockade with what it saw as inadequate Swedish efforts against “terrorist organizations.” Turkey is particularly concerned about the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK and the Syrian Kurdish militia YPG.
In view of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, Sweden applied for NATO membership together with Finland in May 2022. Finland was welcomed into the alliance as the 31st member in early April.
To actually be admitted to the alliance, Stockholm still needs approval from Hungary. But Viktor Orbán recently put on the brakes when it came to NATO expansion.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
