Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The chief of staff of the Iranian armed forces: The operations carried out thus far serve as a warning and deterrence. The punitive operations will be carried out soon.
Islamic Revolution Guard Corps: The tenth wave of missile attacks targeted the launch point of the Israeli regime's fighter jets.
Iranian media: Iranian cybersecurity teams are repelling the attacks.
Iranian media: "Israel" waged a major cyberattack on Iran's digital infrastructure.
Iranian TV: The new wave included missiles and drones and was launched from several areas.
Iranian TV: The tenth wave of Operation True Promise 3 against the occupying entity has begun.
The US-supplied THAAD air defense system is participating in the interception of Iranian missiles.
Israeli media says some 10 missiles detected from Iran.
Four Israeli settlers wounded on their way to bomb shelters, as per the Magen David Adom.
Explosions reported in the greater Tel Aviv area.

Turkey to start ratification of Finland's membership to NATO

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 17 Mar 2023 20:22
4 Min Read

Turkey's Erdogan said that the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO will depend on Stockholm's future actions. 

  • x
  • Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto shake hands during their meeting in Ankara, Turkey 17 March, 2023. Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS
    Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan and Finland's President Sauli Niinisto shake hands during their meeting in Ankara, Turkey 17 March, 2023 (Murat Cetinmuhurdar/Presidential Press Office/Handout via REUTERS)

At a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinisto in Ankara on Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the ratification of Finland's membership to join NATO is likely to be completed before the Turkish presidential elections are due on May 14. 

"We were forced to consider Finland's application separately, since there are no such manifestations of terrorism there as there are in Sweden... I have sent a note to the parliamentary commission, from there it will be forwarded to the General Assembly. I hope that the [ratification] process will be completed before the elections," Erdogan said.

On another note, Erdogan said that the ratification of Sweden's membership in NATO will depend on Stockholm's future actions. 

"We will continue our dialogue with Sweden based on the principles of the alliance and our approach to the fight against terrorism. Everything will depend on further steps taken by Stockholm," Erdogan noted.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto said the start of the ratification of Finland's accession to NATO by the Turkish parliament is an important step for the country, but it will not be complete without Sweden's membership in the bloc.

"It is very good to hear these news ... The Turkish parliament starts to work with the ratification of Finnish membership ... But we have a neighbor, Sweden. What I now say is not only due to the fact that they are nice people and we have excellent relations with our neighbor. But I have a feeling that Finnish NATO membership is not complete without Sweden, we have so much common interest," Niinisto said at a press conference with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara.

Read more: 'Increased' likelihood Finland joins NATO before Sweden: Swedish PM

The Turkish leader has accused the Nordic neighbors of breaking the terms of a separate deal they reached in June 2022 under which Turkey agreed to approve the bids.

Related News

Turkey to boost missile arsenal, reinforce deterrence: Erdogan

Russia, Turkey decry Israeli aggression on Iran, offer mediation

One request vs. a long list of conditions
While #Turkey had a long list of conditions from #Finland and #Sweden, all the two Nordic states wanted was to join #NATO.
Here's your guide to understanding on what basis the agreement was made. pic.twitter.com/Aw7Jtu7frp

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) June 28, 2022

Ankara suspended negotiations with Sweden in outrage following rallies attacking the Turkish leadership in Stockholm and the burning of the holy Quran outside Turkey's embassy, but the talks resumed in Brussels on March 9.

Turkey has opposed the bids, accusing Sweden in particular of providing a safe haven for what it considers "terrorists", especially members of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Erdogan announced in January that he was happy with the progress Finland was making and was ready to put its ratification before parliament.

Earlier this month, the Parliament of Finland said it moved a step ahead of Sweden in the bid to obtain a full-membership status in the NATO alliance, AFP reported.

This comes as an immense stabbing in the back of Sweden, as just ten days prior, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that Finland still wants to join NATO with Sweden, noting that "We have sent a very clear signal and a very clear message to Turkey and also to Hungary... that we want to enter NATO together and this is in the interest of everyone."

AFP stated that Finland faces fewer diplomatic challenges than Sweden. 

Moreover, Finland is scheduled to hold elections in April. Therefore to avoid public opinion influencing membership, Finland will rush to effect that ascension before the start of the elections. 

Read more: Turkish opposition leads Erdogan by more than 10 points: Poll

  • Turkey
  • Finland
  • Erdogan
  • Sweden

Most Read

Iranian missiles impact Israeli sites in Tel Aviv in 2nd wave

Iran's missiles impact 'strategic' Israeli site in Tel Aviv

  • Politics
  • 14 Jun 2025
Bin Salman: Islamic world backs Iran in call to Pezeshkian

MBS says Islamic world backs Iran in call with Pezeshkian

  • MENA
  • 15 Jun 2025
Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • Today
Smoke rises after an Iranian ballistic missile directly struck Tel Aviv, Occupied Palestine, June 13, 2025 (AP)

Op. True Promise 3: Iran's ballistic missiles strike Tel Aviv

  • MENA
  • 13 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
In this photo released by the Iranian Red Crescent Society rescuers work at the scene of an explosion after an Israeli strike in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 13, 2025. (Iranian Red Crescent Society via AP)
Politics

‘Israel’ targets civilians in Tehran; most victims are kids

France's President Emmanuel Macron arrives during the official welcome of the G7 Summit, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Kananaskis, Canada. (AP)
Politics

Macron warns West regime change in Iran would be 'strategic error'

Trump hints at escalation: G7 exit ‘much bigger’ than Iran ceasefire
Politics

Trump says G7 exit denotes something 'much bigger' than Iran ceasefire

A group photo of the G7 Summit, Monday, June 16, 2025, in Kananaskis, Canada (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
MENA

G7 sides with aggressor, says 'Israel' has 'right to defend itself'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS