The crucial NATO meeting has begun in Turkey, where Sweden's application to join the alliance is being discussed.

This is the second time the matter is being considered by the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs committee.

The meeting, which is of great significance for Sweden, started at 1 pm Swedish time.

If the application is approved, it will move forward for a vote in the parliament.

The issue was brought back on the agenda following a conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and US President Joe Biden, with Erdogan conditioning Sweden's application on Turkey's ability to purchase F-16 fighter jets from the US.