Erdogan Signs Sweden’s NATO Membership Bill

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, signed on Thursday, January 25th, the parliament bill of his country for Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, NATO.

By signing this bill, Recep Tayyip Erdogan ended a 20-month delay in this regard. Sweden now requires Hungary’s approval to join NATO.

Turkish parliament representatives approved Sweden’s NATO membership on Tuesday with 287 votes in favor against 55 votes against.

Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, welcomed Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s action in signing the final parliamentary bill for Sweden’s accession to NATO.

Antony Blinken emphasized that Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will strengthen this country and this military alliance.

Ulf Kristersson, Prime Minister of Sweden, also welcomed the Turkish President’s action on social network X, writing: “We have now reached a crucial turning point on the path to full NATO membership.”

Tobias Billström, Sweden’s Foreign Minister, also wrote on social network X: “Only Hungary’s approval remains for Sweden to become a NATO member.”

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in 2022, but Turkey opposed the membership of these two countries. Turkey had accused both countries of supporting groups that it considers “terrorist.”

However, Turkey approved Finland’s NATO membership request in April of last year but, along with Hungary, continued its opposition to Sweden’s accession to this military alliance.

Source: Radio Farda