Stoltenberg reacts to Turkish ratification of Swedish NATO accession: I expect Hungary to complete ratification as soon as possible

Late on Tuesday evening, the Turkish parliament voted in favour of Sweden's admission to NATO, leaving Hungary as the last NATO member state that still has not ratified the Scandinavian country's accession. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the decision, adding that he would "count on Hungary to complete its national ratification as soon as possible," Reuters quoted him as saying.

Turkey had earlier refused to approve Sweden's membership because it wanted the northern European country to take action against members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) residing in its territory. Recently, Sweden has tightened its anti-terror laws and has also lifted restrictions on arms exports to Turkey.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó last promised on 13 December that Hungary would not be the last member state to ratify Sweden's accession to NATO.