The Turkish Parliament approved Finland's membership in NATO

Afghan Voice Agency (AVA): The Turkish Parliament among the 30 NATO member countries is the last parliament to approve Finland's membership in this military organization. The Hungarian Parliament also approved Finland's NATO membership request last Tuesday.

 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to Helsinki's request to join NATO in early March, praising Finland's "outstanding steps" towards his country's security.

 

Last year, Finland and Sweden wanted to join NATO after Russia's military attack on Ukraine, but this process was stopped by Turkey and Hungary. The parliaments of all NATO member countries must agree to the joining of new members to this military alliance.

 

After the Turkish parliament voted in favor of joining NATO, the Finnish government announced: "Membership in NATO will strengthen Finland's security and improve stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe."

 

Turkey still refuses to approve Sweden's application for membership in NATO. Ankara believes that Sweden supports people whom Turkey considers "terrorists".