Finland still intends to join NATO with Sweden
Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto said that Finland still wants to join NATO together with Sweden.
This is reported by Yle.
"(Turkish President Recep Tayyip — ed.) Erdogan's statement indicates Turkey's desire to consider the application as quickly as possible. We have the desire to join the alliance together with Sweden. A lot of work has been done for this during the past 10 months," the Minister said.
Haavisto stressed that Sweden remains an important partner for Finland. NATO also stressed the importance of both Finland and Sweden becoming members of the alliance simultaneously.
"This is related to our common security," the Minister assured.
It is noted that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan made it clear in a televised speech yesterday that Turkey is ready to accept Finland into the alliance without Sweden. President Sauli Niinistö said the Finnish side has already contacted Turkey after Erdogan's statement.
Reference
On January 30, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu stated at a press conference after a meeting with Portuguese Foreign Minister João Gomes Cravinho that Turkey does not object to NATO expansion, has no critical problems with either Finland or Sweden but insists on meeting its demands.
