Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (the Greens) warned on Tuesday that Finland might have to join NATO without its ally Sweden, due to Turkey’s opposition to the Swedes, Finnish public broadcaster reported. howlingwho gave an interview to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland.
– We must of course assess the situation if Sweden’s request turns out to be stuck for a long time to come, Haavisto tells Yle.
Maintains the Common Application
Haavisto says it is desirable for Sweden and Finland to join NATO at the same time.
– I spoke to Sweden today and we agree to maintain our policy of applying together. We believe that the joint path to NATO is still possible for Finland and Sweden, Haavisto said, according to Reuters on Tuesday morning, and now we must do our best to achieve this.
Moreover, Haavisto says, “I don’t think the process will progress until after the Turkish elections.”
Earlier today, he said the following to Finn’s Yle.
It is, of course, the first solution for both countries. But we must be ready to reassess the situation, says Haavisto howlingand continues:
– Did something happen that in the long term will prevent the submission of Sweden? It is too early now to say anything with certainty about that.
Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström told Expressen that they were in contact with Finland.
– We have contact to find out what is actually meant, Bellstrom adds Express.
Erdogan’s suspicions
These statements come shortly after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that Sweden could not expect support from Turkey for its NATO application.
– Sweden cannot expect our support to join NATO, says Erdogan, according to the report BBC.
Erdogan’s statements came after the burning of the Qur’an and demonstrations at the Turkish embassy in Stockholm last week.
Haavisto responded forcefully to the demonstrations.
– Haavisto says that these demonstrations play a role in the security of Finland and Sweden.
– Foreign Minister Haavisto said on Tuesday that there is a need to break off talks with Turkey over Finland and Sweden’s request for NATO.
Russia warns NATO
Claims from Turkey
He further says that Finland and Turkey have agreed to continue talks on membership, he writes for Reuters.
Turkey also made a number of demands to Sweden so that it would have the opportunity to join NATO. Membership requires support from all NATO countries.
Haavisto says Finland, Sweden and Turkey are trying to arrange a meeting together in the spring.
“Coffee trailblazer. Certified pop culture lover. Infuriatingly humble gamer.”
