Summary:

Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini is visiting Ankara on 10–12 January, where he has already met President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu. He says the bilateral relations between Finland and Turkey are good, even though the relations between Turkey and the EU are currently frosty. The EU has been particularly concerned about the human rights situation and democracy development in Turkey. Mr Soini says he brought up these issues during his visit and that he is also meeting with representatives of the Turkish opposition and NGOs. Mr Soini disagrees with the European Parliament’s decision to suspend Turkey’s membership negotiations, and feels that no one benefits from such a decision expect those who have no interest in advancing the solution of e.g. the refugee problem.

Media:  YLE Uutiset

Date: 12.1.2017

Journalist: Sanna Raita-aho

Main source: Minister for Foreign Affairs Timo Soini