After 20 months of Demands, Obstruction and Delay, the Turkish Parliament Voted Tuesday night, in favor of Sweden joining NATO, clearing One of the Final hurdles for a Major Expansion of the Military Alliance set in Motion by Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan still needs to Sign the Ratification Document.
Assuming He does, Hungary would be the Last Holdout. Officials there have signaled that they would Not stand in the way. On Tuesday, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced, somewhat Cryptically, that He had invited the Swedish Prime Minister to Visit to “negotiate on Sweden’s NATO Accession.”
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson appeared to respond only to the Turkish Vote, writing on X: “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.”
And Hungary is on board, the Alliance could formally welcome its 32nd member, potentially sealing the deal before its 75th Anniversary this Spring.
Sweden joining NATO, would mark a Historic shift for a Country that long maintained a Policy of Military Nonalignment. It would bolster NATO’s Air and Sea capabilities, Improving the Alliance’s position in the Baltic Sea and the Arctic.
In thanking the Turkish Parliament for its Vote, the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Jeff Flake, wrote, “Sweden’s accession to NATO is a critical step in strengthening the Alliance, which is today more important than ever.”
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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