NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg Tuesday discussed Sweden’s accession to NATO among other issues with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo.
“Sweden will become a member. All Allies have invited them to join,” the NATO chief told a press conference after the meeting.
“I am in close and constant contact with Turkish authorities, to ensure that Sweden becomes a full member as soon as possible,” he said.
“This is important for Norway’s security. It is important for the whole Nordic and Baltic region. And it is important for NATO,” added Stoltenberg, a former Norwegian prime minister himself.
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
However, while Finland joined the military alliance last April, Sweden’s bid has been held up by objections from Turkey as well as Hungary.
Turkey wants Sweden to ban the Kurdish PKK “terrorist” group.
Hungary is irritated over Swedish criticism of the country’s record on democracy and the rule of law.
NATO foreign ministers are expected to discuss the issue during their informal meeting in Oslo on Wednesday and Thursday.
Source: Kuwait News Agency