President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially submitted Sweden's NATO membership application to the Turkish parliament on Monday, his office said, bringing closer the possible end of a 17-month standoff.
"Sweden's NATO membership protocol was signed on October 23, 2023 by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and sent to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey," the presidency posted on X, formerly Twitter.
NATO chief hopes to welcome Sweden 'very soon' after Turkey move
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Monday urged a quick vote by Turkey's parliament to approve Sweden's membership in the alliance, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan officially submitted the application.
"I welcome President Erdogan's signature of the accession protocol for Sweden and its referral to the Grand National Assembly. I look forward to a speedy vote to ratify, and to welcoming Sweden as a full NATO ally very soon," Stoltenberg said in a statement.