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Sweden is one step closer to joining NATO after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan submitted a protocol to Parliament approving Sweden’s bid to join the bloc.
The move was praised by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
Sweden has wanted to join NATO since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, but admission requires approval from all 31 member states. Turkey has been blocking Sweden’s admission for some time now. It accuses Stockholm of harboring Kurdish militants and other terror groups.
President Erdogan appears to have changed his mind after the U.S. offered to let Turkey buy new F-16 jets and Sweden also agreed to help Turkey in its bid to join the European Union. NATO is also agreeing to address Turkey’s concerns about terrorism as well.
But even with Turkey on board, Sweden’s admission still isn’t guaranteed. Hungary still has to approve Sweden’s membership and that’s something Prime Minister Viktor Orban says he’s in no rush to do at this time.