The US Department of State’s acting top diplomat for Europe has voiced hope that Sweden would be a member of NATO by July 11-12, when alliance leaders are set to meet in the Lithuanian capital.
“We have had extensive conversations with the
Turkish government about allies’ – including ours – clear conviction that
Sweden is ready for membership now,” acting Assistant Secretary Dereck Hogan
told reporters.
“We do very much look forward to seeing both
Turkey as well as Hungary ratify Sweden’s accession protocols very soon, prior
to the summit in Vilnius,” Hogan said, adding that Washington and others would
be discussing it with the new Turkish government following Sunday’s second
round of presidential elections there.
Turks go to the ballot boxes on Sunday for
the run-off of a tight presidential race, with incumbent Recep Tayyip Erdogan
leading after the first round on May 14.
Hogan’s optimism is also in stark contrast
with Erdogan’s comments from a CNN International interview last week during
which he said Turkey was not ready for Sweden’s membership right now.
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