ANKARA (Reuters) – Turkey’s parliament is “likely” to ratify Finland’s NATO membership before it closes in mid-April ahead of May elections. Two government officials told Reuters on Thursday. Finnish President Niinist visits Turkey on the 16th.
Finland and Sweden applied for NATO membership last year after Russia invaded Ukraine. Membership requires ratification by all member states, but Turkey has expressed reservations about Sweden’s membership over the Kurdish armed group it has designated as an outlawed organization.
Officials said they expected Finland’s membership to be ratified, with Sweden separated.
Talks between Turkey and Sweden have not progressed. Trilateral talks among Turkey, Sweden and Finland were held in Brussels this week as well, but Swedish Prime Minister Kristation said on the 14th that the possibility of Finland joining first has increased.
