The Finnish government is expecting good news on Friday from a visit to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, regarding Helsinki’s bid to join NATO. On Thursday, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who is currently visiting Turkey, expressed his expectation that Ankara would agree to his country’s joining the military alliance after holding talks with the Turkish leader.
And if this happens, this means that the way will be practically open for Finland to become a member of NATO before Sweden, its partner in northern Europe. Parliament may ratify Finland’s admission before the Turkish elections on May 14.
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership about ten months ago, and so far, 28 out of 30 NATO member states have ratified their accession protocols.
Not only Hungary and Turkey have ratified it yet. Hungary is expected to give its approval soon. Erdogan said in Ankara on Wednesday that Turkey would “fulfill the promise it made” on Finland’s NATO membership.
It has not been revealed yet whether and when the Turkish parliament will start discussing the ratification of the expansion of the alliance by including the two Nordic countries.
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