Finland issues new defense export permit to Turkey despite criticism from the Left Alliance
NordenBladet – Finland has granted a new defense equipment export permit to Turkey, despite criticism from the Left Alliance. On Tuesday, Minister of Defense Mikko Savola approved an export permit for protective steel used to protect vehicles to Turkey. Riikka Pitkänen, a negotiating official from the Ministry of Defense, confirmed the decision and stated that it did not require a decision from the general session of the government.
Turkey has been requesting that Finland lift restrictions on the export of defense equipment to the country. Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO countries that have not yet accepted Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership. Defense Minister Mikko Savola defended the decision, stating that it was made with the foreign and security policy assessment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was positive. Savola also stated that “Turkey is Finland’s future ally” and that this fact was taken into account in the overall assessment. It was first reported by Hufvudstadsbladet and then commented by Savola to Helsingin Sanomat.
This is not the first defense export permit granted to Turkey by Finland. In May 2022, Finland granted a permit for the technology and drawings of Patria’s armored wheeled vehicles. Additionally, a license for the export of target aircraft transmission platforms was granted to the Robonic company in September 2019.
However, the decision has been met with criticism from Li Andersson, Chairman of the Left Alliance and Minister of Education. Andersson stated on Twitter that the Left Alliance does not support the export of defense material to countries that are at war or that violate human rights. He also stated that in their opinion, Finland should not have granted an export permit for protection steel to Turkey.
Featured image: Mikko Savola (NordenBladet)
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