Erdoğan signed Sweden’s NATO Accession Protocol

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed Sweden’s NATO accession protocol and referred it to the Turkish Grand National Assembly on October 23.

“The Protocol on Sweden’s Accession to NATO was signed by our President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on October 23, 2023 and sent to the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye,” the Presidential Directorate of Communication announced.

Following Russia’s Ukraine aggression, Finland and Sweden applied to be the members of NATO but Türkiye has vetoed their membership quoting its security concerns about terror organizations. After diplomatic talks, Ankara approved Finland’s membership but Sweden’s membership was an issue of dispute.

The approval procedure had became a topic in the F-16 fighter jet purchases with the United States. It was noted that the US was waiting for Sweden’s membership approval for F-16 sales.

Turkish parliament will first send the protocol to the Foreign Affairs Commission. After the Commission’s approval, the text will come to the General Assembly. After the approval of the General Assembly, the parliamentary process will be completed.

Sweden will join NATO as the 32nd member of the alliance after Türkiye delivers the document confirming Sweden’s NATO membership to the United States, the custodian of the North Atlantic Treaty of 1949.