^{President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, left, with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden, right, and Jens Stoltenberg, the NATO secretary general. (Credits: New York Times)}

Turkey Approves Sweden's NATO Membership Bid

Turkey's Parliament voted on January 23 to support Sweden's bid to join NATO, bringing the Nordic nation closer to becoming a member of the military alliance. This decision marks a significant development that helps alleviate diplomatic tensions and friction between Turkey and the United States. The diplomatic stalemate has also hindered Western efforts to isolate Russia over its involvement in the war in Ukraine.

The approval came with a vote of 287 in favour, 55 against, and four abstentions in the 600-member Turkish Parliament. Once published in the country's official gazette, a customary swift process, the decision will officially take effect. With this endorsement, Hungary remains the only NATO member yet to approve Sweden's accession, as unanimity among members is necessary for adding a new country to the alliance.

This legislative advancement is crucial for NATO, as it opens the door for expanding its deterrence against Russia, particularly at a time when some member states are grappling with the challenge of providing sufficient military support to Ukraine in its efforts to resist Russia's invasion.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressed his satisfaction with Turkey's decision, as reported by Reuters. However, he also emphasized the importance of Hungary completing its national ratification promptly to achieve full consensus within the alliance.