Sweden a step closer to NATO membership

(Patria) - The Turkish parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee approved Sweden's NATO membership bid.

This represents a key step towards the expansion of the Western bloc after a 19-month delay during which Ankara demanded concessions from Stockholm related to terrorism.

The next step is a vote in parliament, which is expected to take place within a few weeks and that the bid will be approved there as well.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan should then sign the law, which would conclude the process that has frustrated Ankara's allies and tested its ties with the West.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Hina reports.

Ankara ratified Finland's membership but objected to Sweden, claiming Stockholm protects groups that Ankara considers terrorist.

Hungary has also not ratified Sweden's membership, but Turkey is considered the main obstacle to its accession.