In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg hailed a vote by Turkish lawmakers on Thursday approving Finland’s membership in the US-led defense alliance.
“I welcome the vote… to complete the ratification of Finland’s accession. This will make the whole NATO family stronger & safer,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
Each of the current members of the union must formally approve a new country’s application to join NATO.
Days after Hungary’s Parliament also voted in favor of Finland’s application, all 276 of the country’s legislators present in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday cast a unanimous vote in support of Finland’s bid.
Finnish President Sauli Niinisto thanked all NATO members for accepting their membership in a statement issued soon after the Turkish acceptance.
