After blocking Finland’s bid to join NATO for months, Turkey decided to not oppose more. The fact was announced at a press conference in Ankara on Friday by Turkish President Recep Tayyp Erdogan after he met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. “When it comes to fulfilling its pledges in the trilateral memorandum of understanding, we have seen that Finland has taken authentic and concrete steps,” Erdogan said. A vote to confirm it will go to Turkey’s parliament. Previously, Turkey complained that Finland supported „terrorists,” particularly supporters of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, or PKK. Mr Erdogan is still refusing to support Sweden because the Kurdish militants, after a Koran was burnt outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm. Sweden hopes however for “a rapid ratification process” after Turkey’s elections.Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional military neutrality in response to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine.
Finland has yet t oobtain the support of Hungary. Since 1994 both Finland and Sweden have been official Nato partners and have taken part in Nato missions. Finland is now step closer to join NATO. Finland shares an 832-mile (1.340km) border with Russia.
