Finland in NATO | “The game is on nerves, but it’s necessary to keep calm”

Глава МИД Финляндии Pekka Haavisto he thinks that now it is necessary to simply calmly follow the progress of the process of the accession of Finland to NATO. He is not ready to speculate now on the topic – what will happen if Turkey decides to ratify only Finland’s application, rejecting Sweden’s. And how should we behave in Helsinki in this case.

“Давайте посмотреть посмотрим”, advises Haavisto. “Now the main focus is on the fact that the expansion of NATO serves primarily the interests of the Alliance itself, and then – the security of Finland and Sweden.”

The minister did not discuss the question – will Finland wait for Sweden in case the neighboring country’s admission to NATO will be postponed.

“At the moment, it’s only possible to say that we and Sweden have gone the same way in this issue and that’s it [вступление этих стран в НАТО] it will be beneficial not only to Finland and Sweden, but also to the whole bloc.”

Not so long ago Turkey alluded to the fact that the main problem with the ratification of the agreement is connected, rather, with Sweden.

According to the Prime Minister of Finland Санны Маринthe Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan he reported this also in Prague, where the leaders of most European countries have gathered at the moment.

Erdoğan also again threatened to postpone ratification, directly linking it with the position of Sweden.

However, Pekka Haavisto emphasizes that the process, which began even at the Madrid NATO summit at the end of June, is progressing.

We remind you that in the capital of Spain, Finland, Sweden and Turkey signed the so-called “trёхсторонний memorandum”, according to which Ankara planned to support the entry into the Alliance of two northern countries. Helsinki and Stockholm, on their part, promised, among other things, to intensify the fight against terrorism and, together with Turkey, to “quickly and thoroughly” consider the issue of deportation and extradition of persons suspected in Ankara of involvement in terrorist activities.

Haavisto also reminded that the schedule was the same: even in Madrid, Turkey made it clear that the situation in Sweden and Finland is viewed somewhat differently.

“But as far as I understand, Sweden has also achieved certain progress within the framework of this memorandum, so it’s not time to speculate on this topic yet.”

Prime Minister Швеции Magdalena Andersson Last time I met Erdoğan in Prague. Also, the Swedish delegation flew to the talks in Ankara last week.

Турецкое издание Daily Sabah в четверг wroteчто Турция провозила Швеция об естродиции лицо она через троистористами.

According to Haavisto, both Finnish-Turkish and Swedish-Turkish negotiations took place in a rather positive way. To that end, the Swedish situation may soon change, as a new government will come to power there.

“Partly, some of the statements are undoubtedly related to the fact that negotiations with the new government have not yet begun, as the composition of the new cabinet has not yet been announced. This is all a game on nerves, so it’s better to let off steam and try to keep a cool head. Separate statements do not help in understanding the entire process.”

According to главы финского МИД, the discussion is not only between Finland, Sweden and Turkey, but much wider.

“Now the situation is closely monitored by all 28 countries that have already ratified the expansion of NATO, so there are enough discussions.”

Haavisto says that the NATO countries are now reconsidering their attitude to this question, having in mind first of all their own security. Especially since the situation in this plan seems more acute than before. It was affected by gas explosions in the Baltic Sea, and the ongoing aggression of Russia in Ukraine, and mobilization.

“I think the general situation with security is such that many people are now thinking about the advantages of joining the Union of two countries that are sufficiently strong militarily and take care of their defense. It will also affect the situation with security in the Baltic Sea,” said Pekka Haavisto. “Думаю, сейчас ведутся дискусии ими такое карта”.

В пятницу Sanna Marin commented on the situation in Prague. In her opinion, Finland cannot influence the ratification of the treaty on the part of Turkey.

“Of course, each NATO country makes its own decision on ratification. We have already repeatedly emphasized that it is very important for us that Finland and Sweden work hand in hand regarding joining the Alliance.”

“Вопрос гачество беспосности всего севера Европы. It is, of course, included in the sphere of our priorities, and I raised it yesterday during the meeting with President Erdoğan.”

Article first published on 7 October 2022.

You can read the article in Finnish from here.