Turkey has ‘different opinion’ on key security issues – Finnish President
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Speaking to the Fox news channel, Finnish President Sauli Niinistoo said Turkey had a “different opinion” on key security issues holding up the process of NATO ascension for both Finland and Sweden.
Despite the undefined issue, Niinistoo said he remained optimistic about a speedy resolution. Stockholm and Helsinki will keep open channels with Turkey.
The two Nordic nations had officially applied for NATO membership in May of last year, in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. To date, only Turkey and Hungary have not approved their bids. Hungary says it will do so next week.
Turkey claims the two countries harbor “terrorists,” including adherents of Fetullah Gulen, an exiled Muslim religious figure, and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a Kurdish national liberation group. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan previously increased the number of individuals it demanded be extradited to Turkey.
After the burning of a Quran in Stockholm, Turkey had put Sweden’s membership on ice, but hinted at letting Finland join separately. At the time, Finland rejected the offer.