On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced, at a joint press conference with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, that he is giving the green light for Finnish NATO membership.
Elina Kervinen, Nato correspondent for the Finnish newspaper Helsingin Sanomatdescribes it as “relieving news for Finland at a time when there is war in Europe” and further writes that it would not be beneficial if the process had dragged on.
“Described as a historic day”
At the same time, the newspaper hits Ilta-Sanomat but that “Finland’s NATO membership is in principle complete”.
“Membership is Finland’s most significant foreign and security policy solution since the Second World War. In that respect, Niinistö will be historic as president,” writes the newspaper.
In Aktuell, SVT’s Finland correspondent Liselott Lindström reported from Helsinki.
– It is of course a great relief and it has been described as a historic day. But there are also many who have a bit of a bad conscience towards Sweden, she says.
– The harsh words that Erdogan directed at Sweden have obviously put a damper on the mood.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin calls Turkey’s decision “an important step” in Finland’s NATO process. But she also highlights the importance of Sweden also becoming a member of NATO.
“Finland will do everything in its power to ensure that Sweden also becomes a member of NATO as soon as possible. We are stronger together,” she signs Twitter.
“Will go one after the other”
Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen is on the same track.
– If we don’t join NATO side by side, we will go after each other. And the earlier the better, he says according to Ilta-Sanomat.
Journalist Elina Kervinen agrees.
“The next task for the Finnish politicians is to do everything they can to get Sweden to follow suit,” she writes.
In addition to Turkey, Hungary must also ratify Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO applications before the countries can become full members.