Turkey’s parliament approves Sweden’s NATO membership, lifting a key hurdle
Turkish legislators have endorsed Sweden’s membership in NATO, lifting a major hurdle on the previously nonaligned country’s entry into the military alliance
By SUZAN FRASER
Published - Jan 23, 2024, 05:13 PM ET
Last Updated - Jan 23, 2024, 05:13 PM EST
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — Turkish legislators on Tuesday endorsed Sweden’s membership in NATO, lifting a major hurdle on the previously nonaligned country’s entry into the military alliance.
Lawmakers ratified Sweden’s accession protocol 287 to 55, with ruling party members saying the Nordic country's tougher stance on Kurdish militants was key to winning approval. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also previously has linked the ratification to Turkey's desire to buy fighter jets from the U.S.
The ratification comes into effect after its publication in the Official Gazette, which was expected to be swift.
Hungary then becomes the only NATO ally not to have ratified Sweden’s accession.
