The Finnish opposition authorized the Government to start the process of accession to NATO

A coalition partner in the Finnish Government who has traditionally been against accession to NATO signaled Saturday its openness to accession, thus clearing the way for Helsinki to become a member of the Atlantic Alliance.

The Finnish Centre Party held a vote on security policy on Saturday, in which the party council granted the authority to approve an application for NATO membership.

“If the Government believes that the pace and timing are right, then I, as president of the Centre Party, with your support, am prepared to set the course for Finland's accession to the NATO defense alliance,” said party president Annika Saarikko.

Finland has long resisted the option of membership in NATO, but the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine has changed views in a country that shares a long border with Russia. Recent surveys show that most Finns now support membership, according to the agency DPA.

The Prime Minister of Finland, Sanna Marin, has not expressed her opinion, but has made it clear that the decision “must be taken soon”. On Saturday he stated in Yle that, as the security situation could worsen, the decision must be taken this spring, that is, in mid-June.

Marin explained that his goal is for Finland and Sweden — which is also not a member — to make similar decisions at about the same time. The invasion of Ukraine has also exacerbated the debate in Sweden about accession, but the mood in Finland seems to be evolving faster than in its neighbouring country.

OPEN ARMS

Last week NATO said it would welcome Finland and Sweden with open arms if they decided to apply. The Russian aggression against Ukraine has increased public support in those Nordic countries to apply for membership.

The military organization would be willing to provide security guarantees to countries if its entry provoked the wrath of Russia, said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

A survey conducted by Finnish broadcaster YLE last month revealed that, for the first time, more than 50% of Finns are in favor of integration into the military alliance. In neighbouring Sweden, a similar survey revealed that there are more people in favor than against income.

“If they decide to ask for it, I imagine that all the allies will receive them,” Stoltenberg told the press in Brussels when NATO chancellors were about to meet to discuss the war in Ukraine. “We know they can easily join this alliance if they decide to apply.”

Before launching the war against Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin demanded that the 30-nation military organization stop expanding and withdraw its troops from Russian borders. So the prospect of Finland and Sweden entering will hardly be to Moscow's liking.

To protect them, Stoltenberg said that NATO member countries would be willing to provide a guarantee of security to the two neutral nations from the moment they announced their desire to join until their applications were approved.

Once they were members, they would be covered by the collective defense clause, according to which all members were obliged to come to the aid of an attacked ally.

(With information from Europa Press and AP)

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