Finland on Wednesday approved the first export of military equipment to Turkey since 2019, amid its bid to join NATO.
Helsinki and neighboring Sweden have made clear their intention to join the NATO alliance in May 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The admission of a new member to NATO requires the unanimous consent of all 30 current members, with Turkey being the only member to openly oppose the two countries’ request.
The export of military equipment to Turkey was one of the conditions set by Ankara to give the green light to their entry into NATO.
Riikka Pitkanen, special adviser to the ministry, told AFP that the export license issued is for steel that will be used to armor military equipment.
On Tuesday, Finland’s foreign minister said the country’s talks with Turkey over their NATO membership bid needed a break of a few weeks.
The move came after the Turkish president said on Monday that Sweden should not count on his country’s support following protests outside the Turkish embassy in Stockholm over the weekend.
Source: AFP.
Source: Kathimerini
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