On Thursday, March 30, after ten months of suspense, Turkey agreed to Finland’s accession to NATO, the last country in the alliance to be given the green light after Hungary.
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After a brief discussion, during which they approved b Finland’s “legitimate security concerns”And Turkish deputies voted unanimously by 276 deputies present to enter this small Scandinavian country into NATO, while Sweden is still at the door.
sequel after announcement
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hailed the ratification, saying it would take place “The Strongest and Most Secure NATO Family”.
Meanwhile, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said “thank you all [les Etats membres] for their trust and support.wishing to enter ” As fast as possible “ From Sweden.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced the lifting of the veto on March 17 when he received Süley Niinisto in Ankara, a decision that was immediately welcomed by NATO. Last week, the Turkish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee approved this membership.
Finland now only has to submit a file “certification instruments” In Washington, where the Treaty of Alliance is kept.
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Sweden’s membership remains banned
On Monday, the Hungarian Parliament also approved Finland’s accession, but also blocked Sweden’s accession. However, the applications to join the two Scandinavian countries were submitted together last year after Russia invaded Ukraine, and required the unanimous approval of NATO member states.
The Finnish president has expressed to him ” Hopes “ Ahead of Turkey’s presidential and legislative elections scheduled for May 14, with parliament having to suspend its business about a month before double suffrage is to take place.
Forced neutrality by Moscow after its war with the Soviet Union in World War II, Finland shares Europe’s longest border (1,340) with Russia, behind Ukraine.
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“The most important thing is that Finland and Sweden soon become full members of NATO, and not that they join at the same time.”Jens Stoltenberg.
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Recep Tayyip Erdogan is still blocking the expansion of NATO to include Sweden by berating him for his passivity in the face of existence “terrorists” He welcomed the Kurds on their land and calls for their handover, the government has no final say.
Moreover, the deputy of the pro-Kurdish HDP, the country’s third political force, Hisyar Ozsoy, denounced during the debate before the vote. “terrible blackmail” The Turkish government on the two candidates.
Kremlin threats
The Kremlin, which initially seemed to downplay the candidacies of Finland and Sweden, has hardened its tone in recent weeks, estimating on Tuesday that the two countries, once accepted into NATO, will become allies. “legitimate targets” to Moscow’s retaliationIncluding “army”.
Sweden had announced, in the wake of Wednesday, the recall of the Russian ambassador in Stockholm.
sequel after announcement
And Russian President Vladimir Putin announced last week that Moscow would deploy nuclear weapons. “tactics” On the territory of its ally, Belarus, located at the gates of the European Union.
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The situation remains delicate for Sweden, which still faces objections from Ankara. Sweden has not taken any positive steps with regard to the terrorist list.Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his regrets, referring to more than 120 extradition requests made by Ankara.
The burning of a copy of the Koran by an extremist in the Swedish capital last January put talks between Ankara, Helsinki and Stockholm on hold. The Turkish president then hinted that Turkey was willing to agree to Finland’s membership separately, despite both countries originally wanting to move forward. hand in hand.
However, Stockholm hopes to complete its country’s accession to the alliance before the next NATO summit scheduled for July in Vilnius, Lithuania.
