Finland plans to apply for NATO membership in the coming weeks, but wants to coordinate with Sweden.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Finns decided that the policy of “neutrality” no longer suited them.
This was announced by Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Finnish Parliament Erkki Tuomioja, writes Helsingin Sanomat.
“Finland has a strong majority both in public opinion and in parliament (in support of joining the Alliance. – Ed.) , which means that Finland will send its application for NATO membership over the next weeks, during the spring,” he said.
According to Tuomioja, it would be important for Finland and Sweden to resolve all issues together joining NATO.
On April 21, representatives of the Finnish Parliament met with the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Andreas Norlen, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde and Minister of Defense Peter Hultkvist.
The parties discussed how the preparations for joining NATO are going in both countries.
According to the newspaper Aftonbladet, Finnish politicians have told the Swedes that a large majority in the Finnish Parliament should vote for NATO membership: about 180 out of 200 MPs will vote in favor.
Why Sweden and Finland are not in NATO: a historical background
After World War II, the Finnish authorities feared that the USSR would try to draw it into the bloc of socialist countries and influence its policy. Therefore, she declared neutrality so as not to irritate Moscow. However, after the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland became a member of the EU in 1995.
The country has also been cooperating with NATO since 1994 and joined the Enhanced Opportunities Partnership in 2014 after Russia annexed Crimea.
Similar history with Sweden. After World War II, Sweden decided not to join NATO and declared its neutrality.
In 2014, during the Russian occupation of Crimea, some Swedish leaders suggested that Stockholm should consider joining NATO. However, then Sweden limited itself to joining the NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partnership.
Recall that the Finnish parliament began hearings on joining NATO. It was also reported that Sweden will apply for NATO membership in June this year.
