A Turkish parliamentary committee has approved Sweden’s application to join Nato, lifting one of the last hurdles to the long-stalled entry bid that the alliance has said is critical for Europe’s security after Russia’s full invasion of Ukraine.

The assent of the foreign affairs committee on Tuesday means the agreement of Turkey’s parliament is the final step needed to ratify Stockholm’s bid, although it was not immediately clear when that vote would be held. Hungary has also withheld its approval of the bloc’s expansion, linking its consent to Turkey’s stance.

Sweden dropped its centuries-old policy of military non-alignment after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, applying with its neighbour Finland to join Nato. Turkey approved Finland’s bid this year, and US President Joe Biden and European leaders have urged Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an to admit Sweden, arguing that it would strengthen the bloc’s defences.