HELSINKI, Finland — Finland’s government announced Sunday it would apply for NATO membership, a move that would end 200 years of strategic neutrality and pave the way for one of the most significant expansions of the Western military alliance in years.
The decision was announced on Sunday by the Committee of Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, a committee chaired by President Sauli Niinisto that makes key foreign policy decisions.
The announcement was widely expected and followed a joint statement by Mr Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday urging Parliament to vote “immediately” to join the alliance. The Finnish public has overwhelmingly voted to join in the nearly three months since Russia began invading Ukraine.
But Mr Niinisto, who is mainly responsible for foreign policy, and Ms Marin have insisted on having a full parliamentary debate and vote on the issue. On Saturday, Ms Marin’s ruling Social Democratic Party backed the motion. The parliamentary debate starts on Monday and the vote, which is considered a formality, could take place the same day or on Tuesday.
“This is a historic day, a new era is beginning,” said Mr. Niinisto. “I want to draw attention to how democracy works.”
Russia borders Finland and sees its NATO membership as a threat. In an apparent attempt to reassure Moscow, Mr Niinisto said: “Security is not a zero-sum game. When Finland’s security increases, nobody is deprived of it.”
Finland’s Nordic neighbor Sweden could also be closer to joining NATO on Sunday, when its ruling Social Democratic Party is expected to announce that after intense internal debate it has changed its traditional position against joining NATO and will vote in favor of it in parliament.
On Tuesday, Mr. Niinisto is scheduled to start a two-day state visit to Sweden. It is a widely held belief that the two countries will table their motions ‘hand in hand’, which can be done during this visit provided both parliaments vote in favour.
NATO has said it will be able to approve both applications quickly as it is already working closely with Sweden and Finland. Then the governments of all 30 current members must ratify the motions.
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