THE Turkish parliament’s foreign affairs committee has approved Sweden’s application to join Nato, taking the previously non-aligned Nordic country closer to membership of the Western military alliance.

Sweden’s accession protocol now needs final approved by the Turkish parliament’s general assembly. No date for that has been set.

Ankara has delayed ratification of Sweden’s membership for more than a year, accusing the country of being too lenient towards groups that Turkey claims are threats to its security, including Kurdish militants.

The foreign affairs committee began discussing Sweden’s Nato membership bid last month, but the meeting was adjourned after legislators from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s ruling party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed more clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not “matured” enough.

On Tuesday, the committee resumed its deliberations and voted in favour of Sweden’s application.

Before the vote, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar cited steps that Sweden had taken to meet Turkish demands, including lifting restrictions on military equipment sales and amending anti-terrorism laws.

“This is a process and this process requires long-term and consistent effort,” said Mr Akcapar, adding that Turkey would continue to monitor Sweden’s progress.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom, in a message posted on social media platform X, welcomed the committee’s decision.

“The next step is for parliament to vote on the matter. We look forward to becoming a member of Nato,” he tweeted.

Earlier this month, Mr Erdogan had openly linked ratification of Sweden’s Nato membership to US congressional approval of a Turkish request to buy 40 new F-16 fighter jets and parts to modernise Turkey’s existing fleet.

Finland joined the military alliance in April, becoming Nato’s 31st member, after the Turkish parliament ratified Helsinki’s application.