ANKARA—parliament Turkey's adopted a law on Thursday allowing Finland to join NATO, paving the door for the nation to join the Western defense alliance while the crisis in Ukraine rages on.
After Hungary's legislature adopted a similar law earlier this week, the Turkish parliament was the last of the alliance's 30 members to confirm Finland's membership.
President Tayyip Erdogan stated earlier this month that Finland had won Turkey's approval after taking real efforts to meet commitments to crack down on terrorist organizations and open up defense exports.
In reaction to Ukraine's war, Finland and Sweden petitioned to join NATO last year. Nevertheless, Turkey and Hungary have stymied the process. All NATO nations' parliaments must confirm newcomers.
“NATO membership will strengthen Finland’s security and improve stability and security in the Baltic Sea region and Northern Europe,” the Finnish government said in a statement following the Turkish parliament vote.
Turkey has yet to approve Finland's neighbor Sweden's membership application, claiming that Ankara has not gone far enough in cracking down on those Turkey deems terrorists. Last year, the three nations reached an agreement on the subject.
This Monday, the Turkish parliament's foreign affairs panel overwhelmingly adopted the Finland measure. Turkey's legislative process was underway as the country prepared for parliamentary and presidential elections on May 14.
Finland's accession would be the first since North Macedonia joined the alliance in 2020.
Turkey has consistently stated that Sweden must take more measures against sympathizers of Kurdish terrorists and members of the network It blames for a failed coup attempt in 2016. Turkey considers both organizations to be terrorist organizations.
Negotiations between Sweden and Turkey have stalled, owing mostly to disagreements about street rallies by pro-Kurdish organizations in Stockholm.
The US State Department said it welcomed Turkey's acceptance of Finland's membership and urged it to do the same for Sweden.
Just after the Turkish vote, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin stated, "Finland stands with Sweden now and in the future and supports its application."
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that he has pushed both Turkey and Hungary to approve the applications. Hungary has not yet scheduled a vote on Sweden's candidacy.
