After countries ironed out their differences in talks in Vilnius...
Turkey has given permission to Sweden to join NATO after countries ironed out their differences in talks in Vilnius.
"It is a historic step in completing Sweden's accession to NATO which benefits the security of all NATO allies at this critical time.
It makes us all stronger and safer," NATO secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said.
Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson said he was "very happy" and hailed "a good day for Sweden". The decision taken by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan must be approved by the county's parliament.
US president Joe Biden said, “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO ally” while German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock welcomed the "good news" on Twitter.
Turkey has been holding up Sweden's bid to join NATO as it accused the country of harboring Kurdish activists whom Ankara regards as terrorists.
After the talks, Sweden said that it will “actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiye's EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and visa liberalisation.”
EU chief Charles Michel, president of the European Council hailed a “good meeting” saying that they had "explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Turkey cooperation back to the forefront and re-energise our relations".
Since 2005, Turkey has been a formal candidate to join the European Union.
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