The Turkish Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee approved Sweden's candidacy to join NATO, removing a major obstacle to the expansion of the defense alliance.
The approval of the plenary session in the coming weeks and the signing of the corresponding law by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are now expected. A quick decision is not expected, said committee chairman Fuat Oktay.
Turkey has long opposed Sweden's admission to NATO due to its dealings with government opponents whom Turkey has classified as “terrorists”. Approval from NATO member Hungary is also still pending.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the decision. “I count on Turkey and Hungary to complete ratification as quickly as possible. “Sweden’s membership will make NATO stronger,” Stoltenberg said.