ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - The Turkish parliament late on Thursday accepted Finland’s bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), nearly a year after Helsinki submitted its application to join the military alliance.
Sweden and Finland submitted their bids to join NATO in May of last year, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Turkey objected to their applications, accusing the Nordic countries of being a haven for groups and individuals that the Turkish state considers “terrorists,” and demanding the extradition of alleged members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
Sweden and Finland agreed to address Turkey’s concerns in order to gain Ankara’s support for their NATO bids. Any enlargement of NATO must be unanimously agreed by all member states.
The Turkish parliament ratified Finland’s bid with 276 lawmakers voting in favor, removing the final obstacle before Helsinki’s accession. Hungary had approved Finland’s bid on Monday.
The pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP) abstained from the vote.
The parliament’s decision was welcomed by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg who said it will help to create a stronger NATO.
I congratulated President @niinisto on the completion of the historic ratification of #Finland’s accession. I look forward to raising #Finland’s flag at #NATO HQ in the coming days. Together we are stronger & safer.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 31, 2023
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and President Sauli Niinisto thanked NATO member states for supporting their bid, vowing to be a committed member of the military alliance while reiterating their support for Sweden to join as well.
“As allies, we will give and receive security. We will defend each other. Finland stands with Sweden now and in the future and supports its application,” said Finnish PM Marin.
Turkey continues to oppose Sweden’s candidacy, saying Stockholm has failed to address Ankara’s concerns. Sweden has a large and active Kurdish population.
“Turkey has confirmed that we have done what we said we would do, but it also says that it wants things that we cannot, that we do not want to, give it. Now the decision rests with Turkey," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said in January.
