ANKARA - Turkey is unlikely to sign off on Sweden’s bid for Nato membership before the end of the year, and the chances of this happening even before elections due next year are slim, according to officials familiar with the issue.and the Turkish Parliament’s agenda is full for the rest of the year, said the officials who asked not to be named on a confidential matter.
With Jens Stoltenberg, Nato secretary-general, due to arrive in Turkey on Thursday for meetings, Ankara is keen to see solid steps especially from Sweden, according to the officials. The Turkish government does not plan to seek Parliament’s ratification of Sweden’s membership unless it meets existing demands to crack down on Kurdish separatists, extradite suspects and fully lifts restrictions on arms sales to Ankara, said the officials.Mr Stoltenberg said last week he would visit Turkey to ensure that all 30 allies ratify Finland and Sweden’s accessions as soon as possible.
Turkey and Hungary are the only two Nato allies that have not yet signed off on membership for the two Nordic countries, which applied after Russia invaded Ukraine.
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