Copenhagen, 22 February 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said on Wednesday he will waste no time in signing a NATO entry bill into law once parliament approves the move.

A vote is due next Tuesday on the previously neutral country joining the Western military alliance and is expected to pass.

"I will sign right away, as I normally do," Niinistö said at a security meeting of the Nordic countries at Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's country residence of Harpsund.

Niinistö said it should definitely become law before the Finnish parliamentary elections on April 2.

However, two of the 30 NATO countries - Turkey and Hungary - still have to ratify Finland's admission. All others have already agreed but unanimity is needed.

Turkey has stalled on agreeing to Sweden because it feels Stockholm is not doing enough to clamp down on what Ankara sees as Kurdish terrorists. But Turkey has suggested it could allow Finnish membership.

Finland had said it wants to join together with Sweden as a consequence of neighbour Russia invading Ukraine a year ago and waging a bloody war ever since.

Niinistö said he would prefer Finland and Sweden to become members at the same time but added: "Unfortunately, ratification is not in our hands."