Turkey launches Finland’s NATO approval process, Stoltenberg calls for Sweden

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the approval process for Finland’s admission to NATO membership would be initiated in the Parliament. Meanwhile, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg sent a message to Ankara that Sweden’s membership should not be delayed.

Erdogan met with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö who is on an official visit to Turkey. After this meeting, the two leaders held a joint press conference.

Erdogan said, “NATO will play an active role, I believe, in maintaining global security and stability by becoming stronger with Finland’s membership.”

Erdogan stated that he wished that the approval process of Finland’s NATO membership in the Grand National Assembly would catch up before the elections.

Erdogan said that Turkey cared about Finland’s continued strong support for Ankara’s EU membership.