Turkey has blocked Nato’s initial decision to process Finland and Sweden’s request to join the military alliance, throwing into doubt hopes for a quick accession of the two Nordic countries.

Nato ambassadors met on Wednesday with the aim of opening accession talks on the same day that Finland and Sweden submitted their applications, but Ankara’s opposition stopped any vote, according to a person with direct knowledge of the matter.

Ankara’s move is expected to lead to feverish diplomatic consultations between Turkey – Sweden – Finland in the near future.

The two countries’ application for membership must be given the green light by all 30 member states of the Alliance.

However, for this process to begin, NATO must issue an accession protocol and formally invite the two countries to join.

Nato declined to comment, other than to repeat Stoltenberg’s comments that “the security interest of all allies have to be taken into account [and] we are determined to work through all issues and reach a rapid conclusion”.

source ft.com