Turkey has also called on countries to lift their arms embargo imposed because of its military intervention in Syria.
“I said a few days ago [that it’d take] days or weeks, but maybe as a precaution I will now say that it will take weeks, ”Haavisto told YLE in Joensuu on Sunday. “I’m optimistic that the problems can be solved, but it may take some time.”
Haavisto said that Finland can provide guarantees that it will intensify the monitoring of various ties to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization in both Finland and the EU. However, it may not extradite members or persons associated with it without justification in accordance with the rule of law.
“As the PKK is on the terrorist list in Europe, it is important that we do our part so that no terrorist activities are planned in Finland,” he told the broadcaster. “The structure of the rule of law should be clarified. Political decisions cannot affect the functioning of the judicial system. This principle is set in stone here. ”
President Sauli Niinistö had a telephone conversation with the President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on saturday. Niinistö emphasized to Erdoğan that Finland condemned terrorism in all its forms and saw that a country joining the Defense League could strengthen its bilateral relations with Turkey.
Haavisto said the authorities will continue their dialogue with the Turkish central government, the office of the president, the Foreign Ministry and other authorities.
“We are looking for answers to Turkey’s questions and concerns,” he told BTI.
Speaker of Parliament Matti Vanhanen (Center) told me YLE on Saturday said he is still confident in both of Finland’s accession process. At the same time as Finland has to wait for more information on Turkey’s practical requirements, Turkey must understand that Finland cannot enter into political negotiations on matters concerning its legal system and the rule of law.
“Time will tell what to expect, but a big, historic decision has been made and the decision will be implemented,” he confirmed on YLE TV1.
Aleksi Teivainen – HT
Source: The Nordic Page