On Wednesday, two Turkish sources told Reuters that Turkey’s parliament would “very likely” confirm Finland’s NATO membership proposal by mid-April, a day before Finnish President Sauli Niinisto visits.
As Russia invaded Ukraine, Sweden, and Finland applied to join the trans-Atlantic defense agreement, but Turkey objected. Stockholm denies harboring terrorists, according to Ankara.
All 30 NATO member parliaments must approve membership applications. However, Turkey is the only member not to have approved Finland, Sweden, and Hungary.
A senior Turkish official told Reuters that Finland’s proposal would be accepted separately from Sweden’s.
Another official claimed Helsinki had tried to address Turkey’s concerns about terrorist organizations.
“It is quite likely that Finland’s NATO membership will be concluded before (parliament) shuts and the election,” the person added.
Although negotiations are private, both officials declined to be named.
Niinisto, who will visit Turkey on March 16-17, said he expected Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to announce Finland’s NATO proposal when they meet.
