Finland’s bid has now been supported by all 30 member states of the organisation. Sweden, which was submitted at the same time, remains blocked by Ankara.
By Le Figaro with AFP
Published 3/30/2023 at 11:06 PM, updated 3/30/2023 at 11:50 PM
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Presidential Press Office / Portal
Turkey approved Finland’s NATO membership on Thursday, March 30, after ten months of tension and a concluding brief parliamentary debate, becoming the last country to give the green light to the alliance after Hungary on Monday. The Turkish MPs voted unanimously among the 276 present. The Finnish candidacy, now endorsed by all 30 member states of the organization, was ratified by the votes of the 276 MEPs eligible to vote, according to the live televised voting proceedings, but the Swedish candidacy submitted at the same time remains blocked by Ankara.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg immediately welcomed the vote, saying it would “make the NATO family stronger and more secure”. “I welcome the vote” by the Turkish Parliament “to complete the ratification of Finland’s accession. This will make the entire NATO family stronger and more secure,” the Norwegian official tweeted.
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“Finland will be a strong and capable ally”
The Finnish President thanked the 30 member states of NATO for their “support” for his forthcoming membership. “I would like to thank them all for their trust and support,” said the Nordic country’s head of state, Sauli Niinistö, in a press release, wishing Sweden accession “as soon as possible”. “Finland will be a strong and capable ally committed to the security of the alliance,” he pledged. “We will defend each other,” promised Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, who will try to win a second term in parliamentary elections on Sunday. “Finland now and in the future stands by Sweden and supports her candidacy,” she said on Twitter.