Sweden's NATO accession: Alliance Secretary-General awaits Hungary's actions

Three months ago, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan introduced a bill to the parliament approving Sweden's accession to NATO. On Tuesday evening, lawmakers voted to ratify the bill.

After four hours of debate, 287 out of 346 deputies voted for, 35 voted against, and the rest abstained. It is expected that Erdogan will sign the bill in the coming days.

"Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of NATO. Positive that the Grand General Assembly of Türkiye has voted in favour of Sweden’s NATO accession," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has positively assessed the Turkish parliament's vote to ratify Sweden's membership in NATO. He expressed hope that Hungary, the remaining country yet to ratify a similar decision, will also do so shortly.

"Sweden’s membership makes NATO stronger and us all safer," said the Secretary-General.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö congratulated Sweden in a tweet in Swedish, expressing his joy about the Turkish parliament's vote for the ratification of Sweden's NATO membership.

"I am very glad of the Turkish parliament’s vote to ratify Sweden’s Nato membership. Sweden’s membership will improve security in the Baltic region and make the whole alliance stronger. When Sweden is a member, Finland’s membership will also be completed," the president wrote.

Sweden's accession to NATO

Sweden has been seeking NATO membership for almost 2 years, initially planning to join the alliance alongside Finland, which also had a longstanding policy of neutrality. However, following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, both countries reassessed their positions and decided to join NATO. Finland has already completed the accession process, leaving Sweden to follow suit.

It has been reported that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to visit Hungary for negotiations regarding Sweden's NATO membership.