Erdogan Agrees to Validate Sweden's NATO Membership: Stoltenberg

The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, has announced that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has agreed to present the protocol for Sweden's accession to NATO for ratification during a meeting today with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson.

“Considering the importance of deterrence and defense in the Euro-Atlantic area, the Turkish side will submit the protocol on Sweden's membership to the National Grand Assembly and will work closely with parliamentarians to ensure ratification,” Stoltenberg's statement read.

Erdogan had blocked Sweden's entry into NATO for a year, but unexpectedly announced on Monday that he would not give the green light until the EU restores talks regarding Turkey's membership in the EU.