03:17Turkey: 'We have decided to initiate the ratification process' - Erdogan backs Finland’s NATO bid
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey’s parliament will begin the ratification process for Finland’s accession into NATO during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Ankara on Friday.
"This sensitivity for our country’s security and, based on the progress that has been made, we have decided to initiate the ratification process of the protocol for Finland’s accession to NATO in our parliament," the Turkish President said.
Turkey, alongside Hungary, had until now remained the only NATO member country to abstain from approving Sweden and Finland's applications to join the military alliance.
Ankara has previously expressed concerns about the two nations joining NATO, over their support for Kurdish groups that Turkey considers “terrorists.” Erdogan’s words seemed to signal that he was satisfied with Finland’s efforts to win Ankara’s support.
Niinisto welcomed his Turkish counterpart’s words, saying it was an important step for the whole of Finland.
“It is very good to hear this news,” he said. “I just want to tell you that from our Parliament, 95 per cent of members of Parliament said and voted last spring that we have to apply for membership. Now we have got an answer. Thank you."
Erdogan also commented on Sweden’s accession into NATO, saying talks are ongoing and the decision will depend on 'concrete steps' taken by Stockholm in the 'fight against terrorism'.
"We will continue our talks with Sweden based on the principles of the alliance and our approach to the fight against terrorism,” the Turkish President said. “How the process will progress, will be directly linked to the concrete steps which Sweden will take."
Later in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the news from Anakara, during an address in Brussels.
“This will strengthen Finland’s security, it will strengthen Sweden’s security, and it will strengthen NATO’s security. I hope that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will vote to ratify as soon as possible,” he said.
03:17Mandatory Credit: Turkish President’s Office
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey’s parliament will begin the ratification process for Finland’s accession into NATO during a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Ankara on Friday.
"This sensitivity for our country’s security and, based on the progress that has been made, we have decided to initiate the ratification process of the protocol for Finland’s accession to NATO in our parliament," the Turkish President said.
Turkey, alongside Hungary, had until now remained the only NATO member country to abstain from approving Sweden and Finland's applications to join the military alliance.
Ankara has previously expressed concerns about the two nations joining NATO, over their support for Kurdish groups that Turkey considers “terrorists.” Erdogan’s words seemed to signal that he was satisfied with Finland’s efforts to win Ankara’s support.
Niinisto welcomed his Turkish counterpart’s words, saying it was an important step for the whole of Finland.
“It is very good to hear this news,” he said. “I just want to tell you that from our Parliament, 95 per cent of members of Parliament said and voted last spring that we have to apply for membership. Now we have got an answer. Thank you."
Erdogan also commented on Sweden’s accession into NATO, saying talks are ongoing and the decision will depend on 'concrete steps' taken by Stockholm in the 'fight against terrorism'.
"We will continue our talks with Sweden based on the principles of the alliance and our approach to the fight against terrorism,” the Turkish President said. “How the process will progress, will be directly linked to the concrete steps which Sweden will take."
Later in the day, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed the news from Anakara, during an address in Brussels.
“This will strengthen Finland’s security, it will strengthen Sweden’s security, and it will strengthen NATO’s security. I hope that the Turkish Grand National Assembly will vote to ratify as soon as possible,” he said.