Foreign Affairs Commission of the Parliament of Turkey approved the protocol for Finland's NATO membership yesterday while Finland's president Sauli Niinisto signed the NATO legislation of his country in a ceremony the same day. The Foreign Affairs Commission of the Parliament of Turkey approved a bill that ratifies Finland's bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in its meeting yesterday (March 23).
Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akçapar briefed the meeting of the commission where officials from the Ministries of Justice, Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior Affairs, and the National Security Agency also participated, Anadolu Agency (AA) reported.
"Finland's membership will strengthen NATO"
"We believe that Finland's membership will strengthen the NATO alliance, contribute to the burden-sharing of the alliance against threats, contribute to NATO's deterrence, regional security, and our determination in the fight against terrorism," Akçapar said.
The Deputy FM reminded that Finland's President Sauli Niinistö visited Maras and Ankara on March 16-17 following the devastating February 6 earthquakes and met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
"Finland was more prepared and determined to meet our expectations and respond to our considerations," said Akçapar and reminded that Finland amended its related legislation so as to define encouraging joining a terrorist organization, aiding or provoking terror acts as crimes, AA reported
Source: English Bianet