Copenhagen, 22 March 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The Swedish parliament voted to join NATO on Wednesday with a clear majority in favour, in an historic shift away from a defence policy of non-alignment.

The step requires amendments to two laws.

Only two of the eight parties in the Swedish parliament were against joining the defence alliance.

However, Sweden can only join NATO once its application has been unanimously agreed by the current members. All have done so aside from Hungary and Turkey.

Ankara has objected citing security concerns. Sweden recently submitted a draft of tougher terror laws in a bid to resolve the dispute.