19 minutes agoFinland adopts law enabling NATO membership
Periskopi(3 years ago)
(3 years ago)The Finnish Parliament has adopted on Wednesday the law allowing Finland to become a NATO member, and now it needs only the consent of Hungary and Turkey. Finland, so far a neutral country in foreign policy, after the start of Ukraine's Russian invasion in May last year, decided to join the Treaty Organisation [...]
Finland, so far a neutral country in foreign policy, after the start of Ukraine's Russian invasion in May last year, decided to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation instead of relying solely on its armed forces to protect the 1,300km border with Russia.
With the adoption of basic NATO documents, Finland is a step ahead of Sweden, which also applied for membership but was rejected by Turkey.
Finland expects parliamentary elections in early April, so some analysts believe it wants to complete the membership process by that date. For membership, 184 MPs voted and against 7.
Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan has said his country is ready to host Finland, but that he still considers Sweden a haven for members of terrorist groups.
Both Finland and Sweden are still awaiting approval from Hungary, whose parliament began debating the issue Wednesday and could hold a vote later in the month.
