Washington [US]March 18 (ANI): After Turkey approved the process to ratify Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the US welcomed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s decision, saying the US is encouraging Ankara to “quickly ratify Sweden’s accession protocol as well”. In the statement, released by the White House, national security adviser Jake Sullivan said: “The United States welcomes President Erdogan’s announcement that he will send Finland’s NATO accession protocol to the Turkish parliament and looks forward to the swift completion of that process.” We encourage Turkey to quickly ratify Sweden’s accession protocol as well. Furthermore, we call on Hungary to complete its ratification process for both Finland and Sweden without delay,” he added.
In the statement, Sullivan further stated that Sweden and Finland, both countries are strong, capable partners who share NATO’s values and will strengthen the Alliance and contribute to European security.
“The United States believes that both countries should become members of NATO as soon as possible,” the statement said.
Previously, Turkey approved the process to ratify Finland’s accession to NATO.
According to Anadolu Agency, at a joint press conference with his Finnish counterpart Sauli Niinisto in Ankara, President Erdogan noted that Finland had addressed all of Turkey’s security concerns.
At the press conference, Erdogan said: “We have decided to start the approval process for Finland’s NATO membership protocol in our parliament.” Referring to the negotiations on Sweden and Finland’s accession bid at the NATO summit in Madrid in June 2022, Erdogan said Turkiye is among the strong defenders of NATO’s open-door policy.
The president further stated that Turkey has seen that Finland has taken concrete steps to fulfill its commitments in the tripartite memorandum signed at the Madrid summit last June, according to Anadolu Agency.
“NATO will become stronger with Finland’s membership, and I believe it will play an active role in maintaining global security and stability,” Erdogan added.
He further emphasized that relations between Turkey and Finland will be strengthened on the basis of the NATO alliance after the approval process is completed.
Regarding Sweden’s process, Erdogan said that Turkey will continue its conversation based on the alliance’s principles and our approach to the fight against terrorism.
“I think our country’s principles and good will in promoting the (NATO accession) process are now more clearly visible,” he added. (ANI)
Source: sn.dk