In a significant development, the foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament has granted its approval for Sweden to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), according to Turkey's Anadolu news agency. This brings Sweden one step closer to becoming a full-fledged member of the Western military alliance.

The decision comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had initially delayed action on Sweden's bid for a year, expressing concerns over the country's perceived friendly stance towards Kurdish activists, whom Ankara considers as terrorists. However, after careful deliberation, the foreign affairs committee of the Turkish parliament has now given its consent.

President Erdoğan had also tied the approval of Sweden's accession to the sale of F-16 fighter jets by the United States to Turkey, which is currently pending approval from the U.S. Congress. Although no date has been set for the plenary vote in the Turkish parliament's general assembly, it is an essential step towards Sweden's official membership.

The final green light for Sweden's accession will require unanimous approval from all current NATO member countries. As of now, Hungary remains the sole member country that has yet to begin the ratification process. Hungarian leader Viktor Orbán has expressed hesitation, stating last week that there was a lack of "great willingness" among Hungarian lawmakers to approve Sweden's bid.

Sweden's bid to join NATO has gained momentum in recent years, as the country seeks to strengthen its security and defense ties with Western allies. NATO membership would not only enhance Sweden's military capabilities but also solidify its position within the international alliance.

The approval from the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee is seen as a positive step towards Sweden's NATO membership aspirations. As Sweden awaits the final decision from the Turkish parliament's general assembly, all eyes will now be on Hungary to see if it too will support Sweden's accession.

The pathway to NATO membership involves careful negotiations and the fulfillment of various criteria outlined by the alliance. Sweden's inclusion in NATO would not only reshape security dynamics in the region but also strengthen the collective defense capabilities of the alliance as a whole.

As countries continue to navigate the complexities of international alliances, Sweden's bid to join NATO marks a significant development in the broader geopolitical landscape. The final decision on Sweden's membership remains pending, but this latest approval from the Turkish parliament serves as a key milestone in the country's journey towards becoming a full-fledged member of NATO.