Turkey has agreed to support Sweden’s bid to join the NATO military alliance after a year of opposition, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday. He called the moment a “historic step.”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to send the accession protocol to the Turkish parliament for approval as soon as possible, the NATO chief said, noting that Erdogan would “guarantee ratification”.
“Sweden will become a full member of the alliance,” Stoltenberg said.
The news comes after Stoltenberg held talks between Erdogan and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson the night before the NATO summit began in Vilnius, Lithuania, on Tuesday.
Most of the alliance’s members have supported Sweden’s efforts to join the defense organization after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. However, Turkey has maintained its opposition to Sweden’s bid, which has dashed hopes for more than a year.
With the second largest army in the alliance, of which it has been a member since 1952, Turkey has resisted pressure to allow Sweden’s ascension with the support of Hungary. It is believed, however, that Hungary will follow the example of Türkiye.
This is a developing story. Please check for updates.
