Finland will apply to join NATO military alliance. Parliament has yet to approve this move, but a majority is considered safe. The NATO countries have already given Finland and Sweden the prospect of rapid admission. Turkey imposes conditions on admission.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö spoke of a “historic day” for the Scandinavian country on Sunday. A new era begins. The decision to join NATO was preceded by an intensive social debate and extensive political consultation. Both the President and Prime Minister Sanna Marin had campaigned to join the military alliance. On Saturday, Marin’s social-democratic ruling party SDP also spoke out in favor of the move. This means that a majority in Parliament is considered safe for accession. According to the latest polls, the population also supports the move.
NATO partners already close
Finland has been non-aligned for decades and shares a 1,300 kilometer border with Russia. The country is already a close partner of NATO without becoming a member. The same is true for Sweden, where Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson’s Social Democrats are expected to make a decision on joining NATO on Sunday. Only the Social Democrats are involved in the minority government.
The NATO countries have already given the two Scandinavian countries the prospect of being able to absorb them quickly. Germany would ratify the accession “very quickly”, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) said during talks on Sunday. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and his Swedish colleague Ann Linde were guests. Theoretically, their admission could still be blocked by the veto of a member state like Turkey, as the decision must be unanimous.
Criticism of Putin and Erdogan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has already expressed reservations. He accused Finland and Sweden of offering a safe haven to the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK. To join, the Northern European countries would have to meet conditions, in particular lift export restrictions and stop supporting terrorism. Help is needed in the fight against the banned Kurdistan Workers’ Party PKK and the Kurdish militia YPG in Syria. In principle, however, Turkey supports the “open door” approach. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu added that a solution would certainly be found.
In any case, relations with Russia are becoming more difficult. In a phone call to Niinistö on Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin described Finland’s planned accession to NATO as a mistake. Russia poses no threat to its neighbour, and turning away from neutrality will worsen the previously good neighborly relationship. As reported, Russia has already stopped supplying electricity to the neighboring country. Finnish Prime Minister Marin said she was prepared for any action.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
