Türkiye plans to ratify Finland's NATO membership application

In 2022, shortly after the Russia-Ukraine conflict broke out, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO, but faced unexpected opposition from Türkiye.

Tho Nhi Ky plans to approve Finland's NATO membership application, picture 1 — Photo: Reuters

Any application to join NATO requires the approval of all 30 member states. So far, except for Hungary, Türkiye is the only member that has not agreed to admit Finland and Sweden. That is because Turkey accuses Sweden of harboring Kurdish and other armed groups it considers terrorists.

A senior Turkish official said Finland's application would be approved independently of Sweden's. "It is very likely that Finland will be approved for NATO membership before ( parliament ) closes and elections are held," the official said.

Amid rising tensions with Sweden, Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan signaled for the first time in January that his country might give Finland the green light first.

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö also revealed that Mr. Erdoğan will support Finland's accession to NATO during his upcoming visit to Türkiye on March 16-17.

The possibility of Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden has increased following three-way talks at NATO headquarters in Brussels this week, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Tuesday (March 14).

The US and other NATO members are hoping that the two Nordic countries will become members of the alliance at the NATO summit to be held on July 11 in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

Hoai Phuong (according to Reuters)

Source