Finland expects Erdogan to agree to NATO membership

The Finnish president heads to Turkey on Friday. There, the Turkish head of state Erdogan could give the go-ahead for Finland to join NATO.

Finland could soon get Turkey’s approval of its planned NATO membership ahead of its close Scandinavian partner Sweden. According to Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, Turkey has made up its mind about Finland’s desire to join NATO. Niinisto said Wednesday in Helsinki that he had accepted an invitation to Turkey on Friday to attend the announcement of the decision.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has so far opposed Sweden and Finland’s desire to join NATO. Recently, however, there have been increasing signs that Turkey will now at least agree to Finland’s accession.

Niinisto wants to meet President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday. A representative of the Turkish president’s staff confirmed the Finnish news agency STT. Accordingly, Finland’s admission can be certified before the elections in Turkey on May 14.

Erdogan: Turkey will keep its promises

Niinisto wrote on Twitter that the Turks hope he will be present when they announce their decision. Of course he agreed. According to Niinisto’s office, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will also be present.

Asked by reporters in Ankara on Wednesday, Erdogan said Turkey would “fulfill the promise it made” and could agree to Finland’s accession before Sweden. However, it remained unclear at first if, when and how Turkey would give its consent. “We will meet the president on Friday and then do what is necessary,” Erdogan said.

(APA / AFP)