Turkish deputy premier meets Finnish premier

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan met Finnish Prime Minister Jyrki Tapani Katainen in Ankara on Wednesday.

The two ministers met over a luncheon at Sheraton Hotel, and the meeting was closed to press.  

Earlier in the day, Katainen was received by Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek.

Katainen will attend a dinner to be hosted by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Finland sees Turkey's EU membership as beneficial to both parties

The Finnish minister of foreign trade & European affairs said on Wednesday that Turkey's European Union (EU) membership was for the best interests of the country and the union.

Cai-Goran Alexander Stubb said Turkey was one of the most important five countries in the world thanks to its strategic location, role as a bridge between the east and west, magnitude, demographic characteristics, population, history, traditions, culture and economic growth.