Finland has hinted for the first time that it may join NATO without waiting for Sweden, after its neighbor encountered further resistance from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Bloomberg reports.
The path chosen by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, if implemented, would mark a significant shift in Finland's policy after the Nordic countries jointly applied in May to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Faced with persistent objections from Turkey, the two Nordic countries have so far insisted on considering their applications jointly.
It remains to be seen to what extent Finland will change its approach. The position remains that the two countries should join NATO at the same time, given security concerns, Haavisto told reporters in Helsinki, tempering comments made earlier in the day when he said Finland might have to prepare to go it alone.
Turkey and Hungary are the only two of the 30 NATO members that have yet to ratify the bids. The day before, Erdoğan ruled out supporting Sweden's bid after an extreme right-wing Chevda activist burned a Quran in Stockholm. In response to his comments, U.S. officials reiterated their support for NATO expansion.
Erdogan's comments raised a new level of doubt about Sweden's prospects for joining the alliance, as the Turkish leader did not specify whether he was ready to change his position. With elections scheduled for May, Erdoğan is seeking the support of religious conservatives.
Turkey suggested considering Finland's bid separately at the beginning of the process because it had no serious problems with Helsinki, but the idea was opposed by both the Nordic countries and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, said two Turkish officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
They said Turkey is largely happy with Helsinki's cooperation with Ankara, which will affect Turkey's decision.
Joining NATO without Sweden, Haavisto said, would leave a large area in Finland's rear area outside the alliance, which could jeopardize supply routes and NATO's ability to provide Article 5 security guarantees. It would also entail winding down some military cooperation that has developed between the two countries over the years.
