Blinken says convinced of Sweden's NATO membership progress after Ankara visit

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks to the media about his meetings with Turkish counterparts, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, before departing from Ankara Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkey November 6, 2023. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst/Pool

ANKARA (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Monday he was convinced that there would be progress on Sweden's NATO membership bid after talks with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan submitted the bill ratifying Sweden's membership of the NATO military alliance to parliament on Monday after delaying the step for months.