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Turkish MPs have ratified Sweden’s bid to join Nato in a long-delayed vote that represents a big step forward on the Nordic nation’s path to membership.<\/p>\n
Sweden applied to join in 2022 after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, but Turkey withheld approval amid a row over what it called Sweden’s support to Kurdish separatists.<\/p>\n
Turkish President Erdogan is expected to sign the legislation within days.<\/p>\n
It leaves Hungary the sole Nato member yet to ratify Sweden’s accession.<\/p>\n
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson posted on social media: “Today we are one step closer to becoming a full member of Nato”.<\/p>\n
And Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Turkey’s vote, saying he was counting on Hungary to “complete its national ratification as soon as possible”.<\/p>\n
Hungary has accused Sweden of having a hostile attitude. In March Hungarian government spokesman Zolt\u00e1n Kov\u00e1cs accused officials in Sweden of sitting on a “crumbling throne of moral superiority”. Stockholm has previously accused the Hungarian government of backsliding on the EU’s democratic principles.<\/p>\n
However there have been signs of progress. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Tuesday invited his Swedish counterpart to Budapest for talks, stating in a letter that “a more intensive dialogue could contribute to reinforcing trust”.<\/p>\n
Sweden’s Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said he saw “no reason” to negotiate with Hungary “at this point”, but added that the two nations “can have a dialogue and continue to discuss questions”.<\/p>\n