Finland's FM expects NATO membership issues to be solved within a few weeks

Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto has said that he expects the issues between Helsinki and Ankara about his country's NATO membership to be resolved, but it may take a few weeks.

"A few days ago, I said that this would at least be a matter of days. So just to be cautious, one could now say that it will be a matter of weeks. I'm optimistic that the problems will be solved, but it may take some time," according to the state broadcaster Yle.

He also said Finland will monitor the activities of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) more closely.

"We can certainly give such guarantees to Turkey," he said. "Since the PKK is listed as a terrorist organization in Europe, it's important that we do our part not to allow any preparations for terrorist activity on Finnish soil."

The remarks come a day after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke over the phone to Sauli Niinistö, his counterpart from Finland.

He said ignoring terrorist organizations that pose a threat to a NATO ally is not compatible with the "spirit of friendship and alliance."

Erdoğan said it is Turkey's "most natural right" to expect respect and support for its legitimate and determined struggle against what remains a clear threat to its national security and people.

Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO on May 18 in a decision spurred by Russia's ongoing war on Ukraine, which began in late February.

Accusing the two Nordic countries of "supporting terrorism," Turkey has opposed their membership.

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