New anti-terror law should convince Turkey to back NATO bid, Swedish minister says

FILE PHOTO: Sweden's Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom listens during news conference in Riga, Latvia January 27, 2023. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

LULEA, Sweden (Reuters) - New anti-terrorism legislation which comes into force this week should pave the way for Sweden to join NATO in coming weeks and overcome a Turkish veto, Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said on Wednesday.

Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While Finland joined the military alliance in April, Sweden's bid has been held up by Turkey despite a deal struck in Madrid last year to meet its security concerns.