Disagreements, for example, about the interpretation of terrorism should be discussed, the Speaker of Parliament reminds.
22:24 • Updated 10:50 PM
Speaker of Parliament Matti Vanhanen (center) considers the Memorandum of Understanding signed by Turkey, Finland and Sweden to be an important outcome of a certain stage of the debate.
– Turkey is Finland’s future ally. There has been good diplomatic relations between the two countries for a long time. Disagreement over the interpretation of terrorism, for example, is real and good to discuss. It is not a national match, whichever wins, Vanhanen says.
Vanhanen, who visited A-studio on Wednesday, reminded that NATO membership does not only mean military security for the Alliance against the Russian threat.
– In the eyes of Russia, Finland will be part of the Western bloc. Another big change is that Finland must look at the security concerns of all other NATO countries as well. Part of this is terrorism in the Middle East and its nature. Finland must define its position on this.
According to Vanhanen, Finland must decide whether to maintain our old position or in some way to accept influences in the debate without violating our own legal principles.
– Finland does not like everything in Turkish politics, but the country participates in the NATO alliance according to the same rules. If Turkey gets into trouble and asks for help from its allies, Finland will help.
NATO officially invited Finland and Sweden to membership talks on Wednesday. The president of the Republic Sauli Niinistö according to which the accession protocol will be signed no later than Tuesday.
On Tuesday, Turkey promised to support inviting Finland and Sweden to join NATO at the Madrid summit. According to the Memorandum of Understanding signed with Finland and Sweden, Turkey received concessions in return for the aid.
A new NATO strategy to guide the development of the military alliance over the next ten years was also approved in Madrid on Wednesday.
A Turkish expert, a representative of the Middle East Institute Foundation, also took part in the A-studio discussion. Anu LeinonenDirector of the Hybrid Threats Center of Expertise Teija Tiilikainen Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs Jussi Halla-aho (ps.).