Finnish President Sauli Niinistto said, “Turkey’s concerns about terrorism should be taken seriously,” adding, “A large number of Turkish citizens have lost their lives in terrorist attacks.”
Finnish President Sauli Niinistto published an article titled ‘Finland takes the fight against terrorism seriously’ on the official website of the President’s Office.
Niinisto, who included terrorist acts in Turkey and Finland’s anti-terror policies, said, “Turkey’s concerns about terrorism should be taken seriously and a large number of Turkish citizens lost their lives in terrorist attacks.”
Reminding that he paid an official visit to Turkey with his wife after the terrorist attack in Ankara in 2015, Niinisto said, “During my official visit to Turkey in 2015, my wife and I were able to closely follow what happened after the attack in Ankara. At that time, we showed our support to the relatives of the victims and condemned the terrorist attack.”
Emphasizing that Finland condemns all forms and manifestations of terrorism and actively works to prevent terrorism, Niinisto said, “Finland’s approach and actions in the fight against terrorism are already fully compatible with the general line of NATO countries on the issue of terrorism that Turkey faces. In this regard, our membership conditions have been fulfilled.”
Stating that negotiations with Turkey should continue, Niinisto said, “With the law that entered into force this year in the Finnish Penal Code, an amendment was made that tightened and extended the penalties for terrorism crimes. I would also like to stress that Finland’s respect for international human rights principles and the laws derived from them does not in any way contradict the anti-terrorism measures.”
Referring to Sweden on terrorism, Niinistto said, “Of course I don’t know Sweden’s position on this issue, but I know that our approach to terrorism is quite similar.”
