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Commenting on the demand by Turkey for Finland and Sweden to extradite people who are considered to be terrorists by the former, the speaker of the Finnish Parliament said in a TV interview on Saturday that rule of law cannot be changed for political reasons.
Matti Vanhanen said on Yle’s current affairs programme:
“On the points concerning our rule of law, Turkey must realise that we cannot agree to [change them] politically. Innocent people are not extradited to another country, especially if there is a risk that they will be imprisoned or sentenced without justification. As to the most practical issues, such as arms exports, we must find out what exactly Turkey expects.”
Turkey earlier submitted lists of demands to Finland and Sweden, saying they must be fulfilled as a precondition for Turkey to support the start of NATO membership negotiations with the two countries.
Vanhanen also stated that he is not worried about Finland’s NATO membership application despite Turkey’s threats to veto it.
