Current:Home > FinanceNATO chief upbeat that Sweden could be ready to join the alliance by March-LoTradeCoin
NATO chief upbeat that Sweden could be ready to join the alliance by March
View Date:2024-12-23 20:52:40
BRUSSELS (AP) — NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed optimism on Friday that Sweden could be ready to join the military organization by March, after receiving positive signals this week from holdouts Hungary and Turkey.
Sweden, along with its neighbor Finland, set aside decades of military nonalignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 to seek protection under NATO’s collective defense umbrella. Finland has since joined, and it along with the other 30 allies must all agree for Sweden to join.
But Turkey and Hungary have held up proceedings.
“Sweden’s entry into NATO will make the whole alliance stronger,” Stoltenberg told reporters as he provided details about talks this with week with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and noted new developments in Turkey.
“The message I have received from Budapest is that the parliament will reconvene at the end of February, so we have to wait for that. But I’m absolutely confident, and I count on Hungary,” Stoltenberg said.
Initially, Hungary gave no clear reason for the delays, and Orbán had insisted that his government wouldn’t be the last to endorse Sweden. But the tone toward Stockholm hardened, as the European Commission refused to allow Hungary access to EU funds over democratic backsliding.
Budapest accused Swedish politicians of telling “blatant lies” about the state of Hungary’s democracy.
Orbán, who has broken ranks with NATO allies by adopting a Kremlin-friendly stance toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, said Tuesday that he had invited Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to Budapest to discuss “future cooperation in the field of security and defense as allies and partners.”
Unless an emergency session of parliament is called to debate Sweden’s bid, the assembly is due to sit on Feb. 26.
To let Sweden join, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan imposed a series of conditions including a tougher stance on groups that Turkey considers to be threats to its security, like Kurdish militants and members of a network he blames for a failed coup in 2016.
Separately, but linked to his approval, Erdogan insisted on a fighter-jet deal with the United States.
On Tuesday, Turkish lawmakers finally held a vote on the issue and ratified Sweden’s accession protocol by 287 votes to 55. The Turkish government finalized the step Thursday by publishing the measure in an official gazette.
Stoltenberg welcomed the fact that on Thursday night Erdogan “gave his signature to the decision of the parliament, so now all decisions are in place in Turkey.”
Sweden will become NATO’s 32nd member once Hungary completes its procedures and the “instruments of ratification” of all allies have been received by the U.S. State Department.
veryGood! (91)
Related
- New Orleans marks with parade the 64th anniversary of 4 little girls integrating city schools
- Amanda Bynes Shares How She’s Trying to Win Back Her Ex
- Seattle hospital won’t turn over gender-affirming care records in lawsuit settlement with Texas
- Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis' 10-Year-Old Son Otis Is All Grown Up in Rare Photo
- Saving for retirement? How to account for Social Security benefits
- Prince Louis Is All Grown Up in Royally Sweet 6th Birthday Portrait
- Israeli airstrike on a house kills at least 9 in southern Gaza city of Rafah, including 6 children
- Does at-home laser hair removal work? Yes, but not as well as you might think.
- Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson weighs in on report that he would 'pee in a bottle' on set
- Denver Broncos unveil new uniforms with 'Mile High Collection'
Ranking
- Supreme Court seems likely to allow class action to proceed against tech company Nvidia
- Baltimore leaders accuse ship’s owner and manager of negligence in Key Bridge collapse
- Biden will send Ukraine air defense weapons, artillery once Senate approves, Zelenskyy says
- Suspect arrested in break-in at Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s home, police say
- 'Serial swatter': 18-year-old pleads guilty to making nearly 400 bomb threats, mass shooting calls
- Tesla cuts prices around the globe amid slowing demand for its EVs
- A retirement expense of $413,000 you'll need to be prepared for
- Celebrity designer faces prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
Recommendation
-
Taking stock of bonds: Does the 60/40 rule still have a role in retirement savings?
-
One dead, 7 missing after 2 Japanese navy choppers crash in Pacific
-
Restaurant chain Tijuana Flats files for bankruptcy, announces closure of 11 locations
-
Bluey is all grown up in 'Surprise' episode on Disney+. Now fans are even more confused.
-
Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
-
Searchable NFL 2024 draft order: Easy way to see every teams' picks from Rounds 1 to 7
-
Celebrity designer faces prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
-
Officials identify Marine who died during training near Camp Lejeune in North Carolina