President of Finland Sauli Niinisto, Prime Minister of Sweden Ulf Kristersson and Prime Minister of Norway Jonas Gahr Store, meet for a security summit between the three nordic countries at Harpsund Mansion in Flen, Sweden, February 22, 2023. TT News Agency/Claudio Bresciani via REUTERS
STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Finland and Sweden are proceeding “hand-in-hand” towards NATO membership but that the decision to ratify the applications for the two Nordic countries lies with Turkey, Finnish president Sauli Niinisto said on Wednesday.
Sweden and Finland applied last year to join the trans-Atlantic defence pact after Russia invaded Ukraine, but Sweden faced unexpected objections from Turkey.
Ankara accuses Stockholm of harbouring what Turkey considers members of terrorist groups, and has demanded their extradition as a step towards giving Sweden’s NATO membership its green light.
“We proceed hand in hand in terms of the things that are in our own hands,” Niinisto said, but added: “Ratification is not in our hands.”
Niinisto was speaking at a joint news conference with the Swedish and Norwegian prime ministers at the Swedish government’s summer retreat outside Stockholm.
Finland would still proceed with joining the alliance once approved, even if Sweden’s application was held up, Niinisto said.
The Finnish president also said he would sign a NATO membership application bill when it is agreed by Finnish lawmakers, with a vote scheduled for Feb. 28.
Once the parliaments of NATO’s 30 member states have ratified the application, Finland would become a member, even if Sweden’s accession was delayed.
“If Turkey and Hungary ratify Finland, we will be, as we have requested, members of NATO,” he said.
RuvanJeff on February 22nd, 2023 at 23:34 UTC »
The nords are really stronger together. This is why I love the Nordic countries. Brothers all of them. Have to commend Finland by standing with Sweden.
fantomen777 on February 22nd, 2023 at 20:45 UTC »
A bit historical bacground, Finland was under enormous political pressure from USSR after WW2, and the fear was that Finland would be forced to join Warsaw Pact if Sweden did join NATO. So Sweden did not join NATO.
Hence the unified application at the same time, and hand-in-hand speech. Finland will not "betray" Sweden.
Riptide360 on February 22nd, 2023 at 17:03 UTC »
Both Finland and Sweden sent rescue teams to pull Turkish out of the Earthquake rubble that corrupt Erdogan created by not enforcing safe building codes. I hope the Turkish people will vote for better governance this May.