Sweden has cleared its final obstacle to joining Nato after Hungary's parliament voted to ratify the bid.
The Nordic nation applied to join the defence alliance after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Every member must approve a new joiner, and Hungary had delayed, accusing Sweden of being hostile to it.
But last week Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the two countries were now "prepared to die for each other".
All Nato members are expected to help an ally which comes under attack.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said it was a "historic day" and a "big step" for Sweden to abandon 200 years of neutrality.
"Sweden is an outstanding country, but we are joining Nato to even better defend everything we are and everything we believe in," he said.
Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said the Hungarian decision made the alliance "stronger and safer".
The parliament's approval must now be signed by the president - after which a formal invitation is sent to Sweden to join the 31-member group.
The process usually lasts a few days.
Mr Orban is a nationalist politician with close ties to Russia's President Vladimir Putin. He has often blocked EU efforts to send military aid to Ukraine.
Sweden is one of the EU countries which have accused Hungary of backsliding on the EU's democratic principles.
In turn, Mr Orban's spokesman Zoltan Kovacs accused officials in Sweden of sitting on a "crumbling throne of moral superiority".
Last week, however, Mr Orban hosted his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson and announced his support for Sweden's membership.
Monday's vote of Hungarian MPs was almost unanimous - 188 to 6.
In his speech, Mr Orban sharply criticised unnamed Nato allies for exerting pressure on his government to end the 21-month delay.
"Hungary is a sovereign country and does not tolerate being dictated to by others, on the content or timing of decisions," he said.
Map showing Nato member states, including those which have joined since 1997 (Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia) and those applying to join now (Sweden, Ukraine, Georgia, Bosnia & Herzegovina) (map used from July 2022)
Turkey had been the other Nato country to withhold approval of Sweden's application in a row over what it called Sweden's support to Kurdish separatists. It eventually lifted its veto in January.
Sweden and its eastern neighbour Finland, both long considered militarily neutral, announced their intention to join Nato in May 2022.
Finland formally joined in April last year, doubling the length of the alliance's border with Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin sent his army into Ukraine in 2022 in the expectation it would check Nato's expansion and weaken Western collectivism.
In fact, with the addition of Sweden and Finland, the opposite has happened.
Latest Stories
-
Is social media worth paying for?
5 mins -
Bawumia cuts sod for construction of Gambaga Sports Complex
9 mins -
MPs serve as ministers; Kodua Fokua can head NIB as a parliamentary candidate – John Boadu
17 mins -
Bernard Tekpetey wins fourth Bulgarian league title with Ludogorets
19 mins -
Fidelity Bank celebrates mothers and strengthens customer bonds at major markets
20 mins -
Haithem Debbiche appointed Managing Director of Tetra Pak West Africa
27 mins -
Integrate ESG principles in investment decisions – BoG Governor urges companies
45 mins -
Advocating for Safe and Quality Medicines in Africa: A collective effort towards a healthier future
52 mins -
Bayor EP: Echoes from Faraday project to celebrate female footballers set for launch on May 18
1 hour -
Geisha Soap celebrates Mother’s Day with weekend of activities
1 hour -
BoG governor calls for more investment in fintech space
1 hour -
Shlomit Sufa: Independence – From mourning to hope
1 hour -
CBG commissions Sickbay Project at Berekum
1 hour -
Wilmar Africa’s Alife Soap brand celebrates mothers at Komfo Anokye Hospital
2 hours -
Newmont supports Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Children’s Ward with medical consumables
2 hours