TW Newsdesk, Jan 24:  Following the Nordic countries’ application to join NATO in May, it is the first time a Finnish policymaker indicates decoupling the bids.

Pekka Haavisto, Finland’s foreign minister, says that after further criticisms of Sweden from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Finland may need to rethink its decision to advance toward NATO membership with Sweden.

Given that both Finland and Sweden have security concerns, joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization concurrently is still the “preferred option” for the two nations.