Post by Jaga on Mar 19, 2023 6:29:24 GMT -7
Now, it is only Hungary left against it. Hungary needs EU money, so lets hope
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64986744
Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato
Published
1 day ago
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan review a honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, 17 March 2023
IMAGE SOURCE,NECATI SAVAS/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Image caption,
Finland's president (right) welcomed Mr Erdogan's decision as "very good news"
By Paul Kirby in London & Katya Adler in Lappeenranta, Finland
BBC News
Finland's bid to join Nato has finally secured the backing of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey had blocked Finland's application for months, complaining it had supported "terrorists".
At a press conference in Ankara with his Finnish counterpart, Mr Erdogan praised Finland's "authentic and concrete steps" on Turkish security.
Any Nato expansion needs the support of all its members - and Finland is now a step closer to joining.
A vote will go to Turkey's parliament to approve its application.
Finland, which neighbours Russia, applied with Sweden to join the West's defensive alliance last May.
Both were held up by Turkish objections - but Mr Erdogan is still refusing to support Sweden. Finland has decided to push ahead alone.
The blue carpet was rolled out for Finland's President Sauli Niinisto as he arrived at the presidential palace in pouring rain.
But President Erdogan's hostility to Sweden was clear as the two leaders addressed reporters. He said Sweden had embraced Kurdish militants, labelling them "terrorists". He complained that Kurdish militant demonstrations had been allowed on the streets of Stockholm.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said afterwards it was "a development we did not want, but were prepared for". It was still a matter of when, not if, Sweden joined Nato, he added.
Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional military neutrality in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Almost overnight, support for Nato membership leapt from an underwhelming one-third of Finns to almost 80%.
Both countries still aim to be part of Nato in time for a July summit in Lithuania. But any new member has to secure the approval of all 30 Nato members.
Turkey is facing presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May. Assuming the parliament ratifies Finland's accession beforehand, the government in Helsinki still has to secure the support of Hungary.
However, Hungary's ruling Fidesz party said on Friday that a vote would take place in parliament in Budapest on 27 March and that it would vote yes. A leading party figure said a decision on Sweden would take place "later".
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64986744
Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato
Published
1 day ago
Finland's President Sauli Niinisto (R) and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan review a honour guard during a welcoming ceremony at the presidential palace in Ankara, Turkey, 17 March 2023
IMAGE SOURCE,NECATI SAVAS/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK
Image caption,
Finland's president (right) welcomed Mr Erdogan's decision as "very good news"
By Paul Kirby in London & Katya Adler in Lappeenranta, Finland
BBC News
Finland's bid to join Nato has finally secured the backing of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Turkey had blocked Finland's application for months, complaining it had supported "terrorists".
At a press conference in Ankara with his Finnish counterpart, Mr Erdogan praised Finland's "authentic and concrete steps" on Turkish security.
Any Nato expansion needs the support of all its members - and Finland is now a step closer to joining.
A vote will go to Turkey's parliament to approve its application.
Finland, which neighbours Russia, applied with Sweden to join the West's defensive alliance last May.
Both were held up by Turkish objections - but Mr Erdogan is still refusing to support Sweden. Finland has decided to push ahead alone.
The blue carpet was rolled out for Finland's President Sauli Niinisto as he arrived at the presidential palace in pouring rain.
But President Erdogan's hostility to Sweden was clear as the two leaders addressed reporters. He said Sweden had embraced Kurdish militants, labelling them "terrorists". He complained that Kurdish militant demonstrations had been allowed on the streets of Stockholm.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom said afterwards it was "a development we did not want, but were prepared for". It was still a matter of when, not if, Sweden joined Nato, he added.
Finland and Sweden abandoned their traditional military neutrality in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Almost overnight, support for Nato membership leapt from an underwhelming one-third of Finns to almost 80%.
Both countries still aim to be part of Nato in time for a July summit in Lithuania. But any new member has to secure the approval of all 30 Nato members.
Turkey is facing presidential and parliamentary elections on 14 May. Assuming the parliament ratifies Finland's accession beforehand, the government in Helsinki still has to secure the support of Hungary.
However, Hungary's ruling Fidesz party said on Friday that a vote would take place in parliament in Budapest on 27 March and that it would vote yes. A leading party figure said a decision on Sweden would take place "later".
