On Tuesday, the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Turkish Parliament approved Sweden's proposal to join NATO and sent the measure to the country's full assembly for a vote. However, the head of the committee told reporters that no date has been set for the vote and that it is likely to happen soon, The New York Times reported. After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden each applied for membership to NATO, a significant step that requires the approval of all members of the military
alliance. Finland joined NATO in April, becoming the 31st member after the Turkish parliament ratified the request. However, Turkey and Hungary continued to delay accepting Sweden's offer. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said last week that his country's ratification of Sweden's membership would depend on US Congress approval for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey. The White House has expressed support for the deal, but Congress has some reservations. "The positive development of the US on the F-16 issue and the fulfillment of Canada's promises will boost our parliament's positive view [on Sweden's membership]," Erdogan said in comments reported by the state-run Anadolu agency
last week. "They are all connected," he said at the time, adding that Canada and other NATO allies must also end their arms embargoes. On Tuesday, Swedish and NATO officials celebrated the approval of the Turkish foreign commission. "We are pleased that the Turkish Foreign Affairs Commission has approved Sweden's NATO application," Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström wrote in a message
from X, formerly Twitter. "The next step is for Parliament to vote on this. We look forward to joining @NATO." NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also praised the Turkish committee's vote and called on Turkey and Hungary "to complete their ratification as soon as possible," the Associated Press reports. Sweden's membership strengthens NATO
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