Turkish President Erdogan has finally approved Sweden’s accession to NATO. A corresponding law was published in the official gazette. Now only Hungary’s consent separates the country from membership in the military alliance.
Turkey has completed the ratification of Sweden’s accession to NATO. A corresponding law was published in the official gazette on Thursday and is therefore official. Now only Hungary needs to ratify the accession so that Sweden can join the military alliance.
Orban promises rapid ratification
After more than a year and a half of political tug-of-war, the Turkish parliament approved Sweden’s inclusion in the alliance on Tuesday. In Ankara, 287 MPs voted in favor, 55 against, and 4 MPs abstained.
After Turkey’s approval, Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban promised to push ahead with the long-delayed ratification in his country. He will urge Parliament to vote on it as soon as possible. However, it remained unclear when a vote on this could take place.
Turkish president’s change of heart
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 at the beginning of April last year. It remains questionable what motivated Erdogan to agree. He recently demanded fighter jet deliveries from the USA in return for ratification. So far, however, the approval of the US Congress is still lacking.