Finland’s parliament voted for the country’s joining NATO
During the plenary session, the Finnish Parliament Edukunt voted in favor of the country’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This was reported by the Finnish newspaper YLE.
It is noted that the vast majority of MPs supported Finland’s application for NATO membership. 188 deputies voted in favor of joining the Alliance, while eight voted against the membership. Three members of parliament were absent during the voting.
In a report, the chairman of the parliamentary foreign affairs committee, Jussi Halla-aho, said that “Finland should apply to join NATO“.
– Among the available alternatives, NATO membership is the strongest additional protection for Finland, – he added.
He noted that Finland’s activities in NATO could be set out later in a report on foreign and security policy, which would be considered once during the parliamentary term.
Parliament’s decision has to be approved by President Sauli Niiniste. He is expected to do so remotely during a visit to Sweden.
On 15 May, Finnish President Sauli Niiniste and the Government Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense decided to apply for NATO membership. Niiniste stressed that Finland’s decision was prompted by events in Ukraine.
Source: YLE
