(MENAFN) In a significant development, Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed his decision to ratify Finland's passage into the US-led organization, NATO. Erdogan's decision was announced through an official document posted in Turkey's official journal, Resmi Gazete, on Saturday. The document revealed that the approval was authorized by the office of the president on Friday, marking the end of a long ratification process that began last summer when Finland and Sweden dropped decades of military neutrality to apply for NATO membership.
Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin expressed her gratitude for the approval on Twitter, stating that "as allies, we will give and receive security." She added that the two countries will defend each other, highlighting the significance of the bilateral relationship.
However, Ankara had initially objected to Helsinki's bid to join the alliance, primarily due to Finland's support for Kurdish "terrorist groups" such as the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). Despite the objections, Finland received the crucial approval it needed from Erdogan's parliament, and the move is expected to solidify the country's place in NATO.
It is worth noting that Turkey's approval of Finland's NATO membership comes amid a strained relationship between Ankara and other NATO members, particularly the US. The Turkish government's decision to purchase Russian-made S-400 missile defense systems has put it at odds with Washington, and the country's involvement in the Syrian conflict has also raised concerns among some NATO members.
In conclusion, Finland's approval to join NATO comes as a significant development in the country's foreign policy, and it is expected to strengthen the alliance's presence in Europe. While Ankara's initial resistance was viewed as a potential roadblock, the ratification process has been successfully completed, and Finland is now set to become the 31st member of the US-led organization.
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