THE Turkish National Assembly debate began today on the approval of Sweden’s NATO accession protocol, with the crucial vote expected this evening, and the possibility of ending 20 months of negotiations between Ankara and Stockholm for Turkey to give the green light.

Sweden announced in May 2022, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, its candidacy to join NATO, at the same time as Finland, which in April became its 31st member. Atlantic Alliance.

To satisfy Ankara’s demands, the Swedenfor its part, amended its constitution and adopted a new anti-terror law as Ankara accused Stockholm of harboring Kurdish fighters who had taken refuge on its soil, some of whom are considered terrorists by the Turkey.

Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that have not yet ratified Sweden’s request to join the Alliance.

The president’s key ally Recep Tayyip ErdoganDevlet Bakhceli, thanks to whom the head of state won a majority in the National Assembly in the last election, assured that his MPs would vote in favor of Sweden’s accession, predicting a favorable result.

If approved by Plenary of the National Assemblythe protocol is expected to receive the final signature from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.