Finland says to stick with Sweden in NATO process

FILE PHOTO: Finland's Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto speaks during a news conference in Riga, Latvia January 25, 2023. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland is maintaining its plan to join NATO at the same time as Nordic neighbour Sweden, and hopes to do so no later than July, Finnish foreign minister Pekka Haavisto said on Monday.

Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan signalled on Sunday that Ankara could agree to Finland joining NATO ahead of Sweden, amid growing tensions with Stockholm, and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday made similar statements.