Finland's NATO bid may be ratified ahead of Turkey elections

Turkey's parliament will "highly likely" ratify Finland's NATO accession bid before it closes in mid-April, two Turkish officials said.

Finland's bid will be approved independently from that of Sweden, one senior official said. "We are looking favourably at Finland's accession. It would not be wrong to say that accession talks will be held at different times than Sweden," one Turkish senior official said.

Another official with knowledge of the matter said Finland's approach to terrorist organisations was in line with Turkey's sensitivities and that Helsinki had taken steps in that regard. "It is highly likely that the necessary step for Finland's NATO membership will be completed before (parliament) closes and the election is held," Reuters cited the official as saying.

Parliament is due to close in mid-April ahead of parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for May 14.

Finland's Niinisto is due to visit Istanbul on March 16-17 to meet with Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan.

The parliaments of all 30 members of NATO have to ratify any membership bids for the alliance. Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO allies that have not yet ratified the membership of Finland and Sweden.