Turkish legislators have approved Sweden’s membership in NATO, removing a significant hurdle to Sweden’s entry into the military alliance, Associated Press reports.
The ratification was passed with a vote of 287 to 55, with members of Turkey’s ruling party highlighting Sweden’s tougher stance on Kurdish militants as a key factor in winning approval. The ratification leaves Hungary as the only NATO ally yet to approve Sweden’s accession.
Turkey had delayed Sweden’s NATO membership, seeking concessions related to its stance on Kurdish militants and countering security threats. Sweden has made amendments to its anti-terrorism laws and taken measures against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) to address Turkish concerns.
