Finland's president (right) welcomed Mr Erdogan's decision as "very good news" 

NECATI SAVAS/EPA-EFE/REX/SHUTTERSTOCK

 

Turkey's Erdogan seals deal on Finland joining Nato
By Paul Kirby in London & Katya Adler in Lappeenranta, Finland
BBC News

Finland's bid to join Nato has finally secured the backing of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

 

Turkey had blocked Finland's application for months, complaining it had supported "terrorists".

 

At a press conference in Ankara with his Finnish counterpart, Mr Erdogan praised Finland's "authentic and concrete steps" on Turkish security.

 

Full story: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64986744

 

-- © Copyright BBC 2023-03-18

 

- Cigna offers a range of visa-compliant plans that meet the minimum requirement of medical treatment, including COVID-19, up to THB 3m. For more information on all expat health insurance plans click here.

 

The most versatile and flexible rental investment and holiday home solution in Thailand - click for more information.

Excellent!

Why not kick Erdogan out of Nato?

He is a loose cannon, and menber Greece can block the entrance to the Black Sea.

11 minutes ago, Olav Seglem said:

Why not kick Erdogan out of Nato?

He is a loose cannon, and menber Greece can block the entrance to the Black Sea.

Turkey is a strategic country.  It has the only connection between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.   It is geographically situated close to the troubled Middle East.   Turkey is quite well aware of their importance, and they quite often play the West against other adversaries.   

 

As irritating as they can be, especially with people like Erdoğan around, we need them more than they need us.   

I wonder what the deal was, obviously there was one, what did Erdogan get?

21 minutes ago, pelagicpete said:

I wonder what the deal was, obviously there was one, what did Erdogan get?

May election which will be very close, economic woes, rebuilding after earthquake and foreign policies may have influence him to change his mind. All above will need friendly hands from EU countries. 

 

4 hours ago, Olav Seglem said:

Why not kick Erdogan out of Nato?

He is a loose cannon, and menber Greece can block the entrance to the Black Sea.

Well, for one thing, Erdogan isn't a country.

And no, even if Greece had the capability to restrict naval traffic through the Bosphorus, it doesn't have the right. According the the Montreux Convention, only Turkey does.

Edited March 18, 20233 yr by placeholder