Erdogan approves Sweden's NATO membership

(Patria) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan submitted the ratification of the bill on Sweden's candidacy for NATO membership to parliament.

The Turkish presidency conveyed this information. The Swedish government announced yesterday that it expects Turkey to begin the ratification of this country's membership in NATO.

Positive signals from Ankara come at the same time as NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced a visit to Stockholm, where he will hold a series of meetings with government leaders.

Erdogan had been delaying the ratification of Sweden's membership, accusing Stockholm of being too lenient towards Kurdish militants and other groups he considers a security threat.

Each of the 31 NATO allies must approve Sweden's membership. If the Turkish parliament supports Erdogan's proposal, Hungary still needs to approve the ratification.