A well-informed source in the Turkish parliament has indicated that Turkey could ratify Sweden’s membership protocol for NATO by the end of the year, provided there are no significant issues impacting the situation.
Speaking anonymously to Russia’s Novosti news agency, the source stated, “The parliamentary committee on foreign affairs will start reviewing Sweden’s request this Thursday.
Currently, there is a positive backdrop, and Stockholm is adopting a constructive approach. Barring any complications that might affect the situation, there’s hope to finalize Sweden’s NATO accession process before the year’s end.”
Earlier, the Speaker of the Turkish Parliament, Numan Kurtulmuş, expressed optimism about completing Sweden’s NATO membership process swiftly.
In October, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed the protocol for Sweden’s NATO accession, which was then forwarded from the presidency to the parliament to schedule a vote in a general session.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Erdoğan’s move and looked forward to a prompt parliamentary vote in Turkey to ratify the protocol and “welcome Sweden as a full NATO ally very soon.”
Sweden’s NATO membership now hinges on Hungary’s approval. Jessica Roswall, the Swedish Minister for European Union Affairs, told reporters on Tuesday that she plans to discuss her country’s NATO membership with her Hungarian counterpart.
“We are looking forward to a swift decision from Hungary as well and wish to become members as soon as possible,” she said.
