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Official: Erdogan says yes to Finland joining NATO
Finland’s President Sauli Niinistö (left) and Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
© Adem ALTAN / AFP
Turkish President Erdogan and his Finnish counterpart Niinistö have spoken about Finland joining NATO – and have come to an agreement. In order for Finland to become a member of NATO, the only thing missing is Hungary’s approval.
Turkey gives the green light for Finland to join NATO. This was announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan at a press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö in Ankara on Friday. The ratification process will begin.
“I believe that Finland’s membership in NATO will make the country even stronger. Finland’s security will also be strengthened through NATO membership,” Erdoğan said.
Niinistö met the Turkish President in Istanbul on Friday to discuss his country’s NATO membership.
Finland campaigns with Turkey again for Sweden to join NATO
However, Turkey’s yes to Finland also means that Sweden will most likely not join NATO together with its neighbor, as originally planned. Erdoğan said talks with Sweden would continue. President Niinistö again campaigned for Sweden’s accession at the press conference. “Finland’s membership is not complete without Sweden.”
President Erdoğan cited differences in the fight against terrorism as an obstacle to Sweden joining NATO.
This article has been updated several times.