Finland’s president held “open and direct” talks with Turkey’s Erdogan

(Reuters) – Finnish President Sauli Niinisto stated on Saturday he had held “open and direct” talks with Turkey’s President Tayyip Erdogan to debate Finland’s bid for NATO membership.

Erdogan has publicly questioned whether or not Finland and Sweden needs to be allowed to affix the navy alliance.

“I said that as NATO allies Finland and Turkey will commit to one another’s safety and our relationship will thus develop stronger,” Niinisto tweeted after the decision.

“Finland condemns terrorism in all its kinds and manifestations. Shut dialogue continues.”

(Reporting by Essi Lehto, modifying by Terje Solsvik)