ANKARA: As Ukraine rages, Turkey’s parliament approved a bill on Thursday to allow Finland to join NATO.
When Hungary’s parliament ratified Finland’s membership earlier this week, Turkey was the last of the 30 alliance countries to do so.
In March, President Tayyip Erdogan claimed Finland has Turkey’s blessing after taking real steps to crack down on terrorist groups and open up defence exports.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine prompted Finland and Sweden to join NATO last year. Turkey and Hungary have stalled it. All NATO parliaments must approve entrants.
“NATO membership will bolster Finland’s security and improve stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe,” the Finnish government said after the Turkish parliament vote.
Sweden, Finland’s neighbour, has not done enough to crack down on terrorists, thus Turkey is delaying its membership bid. The three nations reached a deal last year.
Turkey’s foreign affairs commission unanimously approved the Finland measure last week. Turkish lawmakers were preparing for May 14 parliamentary and presidential elections.
Finland’s participation would be the alliance’s first since North Macedonia joined in 2020.
Turkey has frequently demanded that Sweden take further action against Kurdish terrorists and participants of the 2016 coup attempt network. Turkey considers both groups terrorists.
After repeated disputes, mostly over Stockholm pro-Kurdish protests, Sweden-Turkey talks have stalled.
The US State Department hailed Turkey’s ratification for Finland and encouraged it to soon ratify Sweden’s accession.
“Sweden and Finland are strong, capable allies that share NATO’s principles and will strengthen the Alliance and contribute to European security,” a department spokesperson said.
“Finland stands with Sweden now and in the future and supports its application,” stated Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin after the Turkish vote.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg asked Turkey and Hungary to ratify both applications. Hungary has yet to vote on Sweden’s request.
