A panel presents the result of the vote for joining NATO in the Finnish parliament, where “yes” received 188 votes, and “no” was only 8. Photo: AFP
Ang Eduskunta (Finnish parliament) ratified this Tuesday by a large majority Finland’s application for NATO membership was formally approved on Sunday by President Sauli Niinistö and the coalition government led by Prime Minister Sanna Marin.
The historic decision, where Finland ending in nearly eight decades of non -alignmentreceived 188 votes in favor and 8 against, after two days of intense debate in parliament in which on Monday representatives spoke during more than fourteen uninterrupted hours.
As expected, the application for membership was approved by a majority of all political parties, including the Left Alliance, which has traditionally opposed NATO, although in this formation the vote was divided.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin. Photo: AFP
Before the final vote, the Foreign Affairs Committee of Eduskunta gave its united support to Finland’s entry into the Alliance, considering that it was the option offers “as much additional protection as possible”.
Another of the most important parliamentary committees on this issue, Defense, also supported Finland’s entry into NATO last week, as “the best solution for the Nordic country’s security” against threats from neighboring Russia.
After Eduskunta’s approval, the Finnish government of Sanna Marin is expected to make a formal application for NATO membership and send it to President Niinistö for his signature.
Niinistö was making an official visit to neighboring Sweden on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the government signing its own formal application for entry into the Alliance on Tuesday.
The Finnish parliament in the background, where the application to join NATO was voted. Photo: EFE
The intention of the two Nordic countries, very close NATO partners but not members, is to present both requests simultaneously this Tuesday or Wednesday at the Alliance’s headquarters in Brussels.
Upon receipt of the request, NATO will invite Finland and Sweden to negotiate the terms of membershiptalks that are expected to be very short, as the two countries meet established standards.
After the Alliance’s approval, up to 30 of its member countries ratified the accession, a process that seemed a simple procedure until a few days ago but could have been complicated by Turkey’s sudden opposition, accusing Finland and Sweden. of providing shelter to Kurdish “terrorists”.
President Niinistö and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson will travel to Washington on Thursday to meet with President Joe Biden of the United States, where discuss their candidacies for NATO.
Source: EFE
Source: Clarin
