Finland backs Turkey's EU membership

HELSINKI

Finland supports Turkey's integration with the European Union, the Finnish foreign minister said Wednesday in Helsinki.

During a joint press conference with the Turkish EU minister, Finland's Erkki Tuomioja said, "We believe that Turkey's EU membership process should continue quickly and the new chapters should be opened and closed."

Turkey applied for EU membership in 1987 and accession talks began in 2005.

Finland is one of the firmest supporters of Turkey in its decades-long accession bid for the EU. The process accelerated in 1999 during Finland’s presidency of the union before slowing down to a near halt in the following years.

Thanking the Finnish foreign minister for his support, Turkey's EU Minister Volkan Bozkir said, "Finland is one of the most supportive countries for Turkey's membership."

To gain membership, Turkey must successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which involve reforms and the adoption of European standards.

So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed.