Finland Times

 

Finnish parliament. File Photo Lehtikuva.

Leaders of the parliamentary groups of different political parties in Finland expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Turkey and urged the European Union to take a clear position in this regard.

 

The Chair of the parliamentary group of Kristillisdemokraatit (Christian democrats), Peter Östman and the Chair of parliamentary group of Vasemmistoliito (Left Alliance), Aino-Kaisa Pekonen demanded that EU should take a definite position about Turkey.

 

“I will hope for EU not to just wait in silence as events unfold. The EU level should make it clear which activities should be indulged and which should not be tolerated about the acts going on in Turkey,” said Pekonen.

 

EU should exert its influence foremost to let the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan know that the current line of action is intolerable, said Kalle Jokinen, the Chair of the parliamentary group of Kansallinen Kokoomus ( National Coalition Party), one of the components of the three-party alliance government.

 

The Chairman of the main opposition Suomen Sosialidemokraattinen Puolue (Social Democratic Party of Finland-SDP), Antti Rinne said that the EU should note that Erdogan does not usually pay heed to external advice.

 

“This point of view would require respectful but firm discussion,” said Rinne.

 

Some of the leaders wished that the United States would join EU in solving Turkey's situation. 

 

The Chair of ruling Suomen Keskusta (Centre Party) parliamentary group, Antti Kaikkonen and the Suomen ruotsalainen kansanpuolue (Swedish People's Party of Finland-RKP) parliamentary group Chair Stefan Wallin also considered the activities of the Turkish government as a threat to the EU membership negotiations of the country.

 

“If the current situation continues, the membership negotiations with Turkey should be halted. It would be clear, reasonable and firm action by EU,” said Wallin.

 

Some of the leaders already think that Turkey may forget the membership negotiations with EU.

 

Perussuomalaiset (Finns Party) leader Tom Packalén thinks that another possible means of pres-sure could be economic sanctions. 

 

“This kind of decisions should not be done with light reasons, because they have far-reaching consequences,” said Packalén.