The parliament in Turkey will “highly likely” ratify Finland’s bid to join the NATO alliance before elections in the country
Turkey’s plans to go ahead and ratify Finland´s bid to join NATO are “highly likely” to take place before mid-April, ahead of elections in the country.
According to Reuters, this information has been confirmed by two Turkish officials, who made the statement ahead of the visit by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto.
Both Sweden and Finland had started the bid to join the NATO alliance and become a part of the trans-Atlantic defence pact after Russia invaded Ukraine.
But objections raised by Turkey have delayed the process, as the country claimed that terrorist groups recognised by Turkey were being harbored by Sweden.
“It is highly likely that the necessary step for Finland’s NATO membership will be completed before (parliament) closes and the election is held,” said the Turkish official.
The officials also declined to be named as the discussions on the subject have not been made public as yet.
The Finnish president who is visiting Turkey from March 16 until 17 has also made a statement that said, “We knew that when Turkish President Erdogan on his part has made the decision concerning the ratification of Finland’s NATO membership, he wants to meet and fulfill his promise president to president”.
He further added, “The Turks had hoped I would be there in person to receive the decision”.
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