He is confused by Turkey's position, which has changed over the past few days.
Finland will be given great support when joining NATO, the Foreign Minister believes
Helsinki. May 15. INTERFAX - Finnish President Sauli Niinisto does not rule out that relations with Russia will change, but hopes to maintain dialogue after the country's accession to NATO.
"The most important thing is that we can still talk, and openly, straightforwardly. This is what we did yesterday," Niinisto said on Sunday at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Sanna Marin, commenting on a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before.
Niinisto did not rule out that with Finland's membership in NATO, relations between the two countries may change.
"And I'm sure Russia feels the same way. Nevertheless, there should be a dialogue, discussion of issues of mutual interest, for example, on security in the waters of the Gulf of Finland," he stressed.
Referring to the negative reaction of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to Finland's possible accession to NATO, Niinisto said that, "to put it bluntly, I am confused." "Turkey's rhetoric has changed over the past few days. A month ago I had a phone conversation with Erdogan. He said he would evaluate it (the application) positively," the President of Finland noted.
According to him, "Finland now needs a clear response from Turkey" and that he is ready for a new conversation with Erdogan in the coming days.
In turn, Marin, calling the day of the decision on joining NATO "historic", expressed the hope that her country and Sweden will submit their applications to the alliance at the same time, if possible.
"However, the exact schedule of the process is not the number one issue, the main thing is that both countries will join NATO," she said.
According to her, the accession of the two Scandinavian countries will strengthen the security of the region.
Meanwhile, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto expressed confidence that the country will receive great support from NATO members when joining the alliance.
"From yesterday's meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Berlin, we can conclude that Finland will receive great support from other countries," he said at a press conference in Helsinki.
"It was nice to hear how some countries are almost competing among themselves who will ratify (the NATO membership treaty - IF) earlier," Haavisto said.
According to him, the membership negotiations will be conducted by the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defense, but under the leadership of the Foreign Ministry.
Haavisto said he expects Finland's membership application to be considered quickly in the NATO Council.
He said that after submitting the application, Finland will become an observer member who will be able to attend NATO meetings, but without the right to make a decision.
