US welcomes Türkiye's approval of Sweden's NATO membership bid

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Tuesday welcomed Türkiye's approval of Sweden's entrance into NATO, saying the matter has been an "important priority" for President Joe Biden.

"We welcome the Turkish parliament’s vote approving Sweden’s application to join @NATO," Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security advisor, said on X.

"This has been an important priority for @POTUS. Sweden is a strong, capable defense partner whose membership in NATO will make the U.S. and the Alliance safer and stronger," he added.

The Turkish parliament hours earlier overwhelmingly ratified Sweden's membership in a 287 to 55 vote. Hungary is now the only NATO member state that has not signed off on Sweden's entry into the alliance.

Finland and Sweden – both Nordic countries close to or bordering Russia – applied for NATO membership soon after Russia launched its war on Ukraine in February 2022.

Finland became NATO's 31st ally in April 2023 following approval from all of the alliance's legislatures.