UK hails Türkiye's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) — Britain's defense secretary on Friday welcomed Türkiye's ratification of Sweden's NATO membership bid, urging Hungary to follow suit.

"I am delighted that Türkiye has completed the ratification process for Sweden's accession to @NATO," Grant Shapps wrote on X.

Sweden will strengthen the alliance "as the world around us becomes more dangerous," Shapps said, urging Hungary to also approve the Nordic country's membership "without delay."

Earlier in the day, the law passed in Turkish parliament ratifying Sweden's NATO membership was published in Türkiye’s Official Gazette, finalizing the ratification, the Communications Directorate announced.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the presidential decree on the Nordic country's accession into the military alliance and approved the relevant protocol. The law has now come into effect.

Turkish parliament on Tuesday ratified Sweden's membership in a 287 to 55 vote.

Admission of a new member requires the unanimous support of all NATO members, and Hungary is now the only ally not to have ratified Sweden's accession.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership in May 2022 following the start of Russia's war on Ukraine earlier that year. Finland joined the alliance as its 31st member in April 2023.