Finnish Pres. To Visit Turkey As Solo Accession Looks Increasingly Likely

The office of the Turkish presidency has confirmed that Finnish President Sauli Niinisto will hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan from 16-17 March regarding NATO accession. There has in recent weeks been increased speculation that despite joint applications, Finland could end up joining NATO ahead of Sweden due to Turkey's major objections to Stockholm's lack of action in extraditing Kurdish dissidents that Ankara labels terrorists.

• Matti Pesu at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs think tank: "Finnish policymakers have recently sounded somewhat optimistic about being able to enter NATO before the Vilnius summit [in July]. Yesterday, Swedish prime minister [said] that it looks more likely that Finland will be ratified first. [Swedish PM] Kristersson also said that Sweden is more secure if Finland is a NATO member. This was an important message that Finnish policymakers [have] certainly hoped for."
• Pesu: "Finland has been in a tricky spot. Finalizing the NATO membership process as swiftly as possible is a vital national interest. Maintaining mutual trust and a solid bond with Sweden is equally important. I assume the Finnish leadership is confident [enough] that the trip will result in positive outcomes. Coming back empty-handed would not look good."