The report is a framework for a broader debate on foreign, security and defense policy and contains an assessment of how Finland can strengthen its national defense capabilities and international defense co-operation, as well as the effects of a possible NATO membership.
HELSINKI, 13 April (Xinhua) – The Finnish government submitted a report to the Riksdag on Wednesday on changes in Finland’s foreign and security policy environment following the Ukraine crisis.
The report is a framework for a broader debate on foreign, security and defense policy and contains an assessment of how Finland can strengthen its national defense capabilities and international defense co-operation, as well as the effects of a possible NATO membership.
The national broadcaster Yle said that although the report is the basis for a discussion on NATO in the coming weeks, it will not lead to a parliamentary vote, only a communication.
The issue will then be referred back to the government and the president.
PRESIDENT: DECISION BEFORE SUMMER
Also on Wednesday, President Sauli Niinisto said that Finland’s decision on NATO membership would be made before the summer.
Niinisto told the newspaper Helsingin Sanomat that the report provides crucial information to decision-makers.
However, the final decision on membership will fall on Niinisto.
He warned of delays in the decision-making process and said that the fate of Finland and Sweden was used as a political football.
Russia’s possible reaction is another reason to speed up the process, he added.
Public support for Finland’s NATO membership has increased in Finland since the end of February. In Finnish media surveys, about 60 percent supported the accession, while more than half of the members of parliament this week supported NATO membership.
GOING FORWARD WITH SWEDEN
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson also discussed NATO membership in Stockholm on Wednesday.
The Finnish Government’s report estimates that Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to NATO would increase stability in the Baltic Sea region.
At the same time, Marin said on Wednesday that Finland’s decision on NATO membership would come within a few weeks.
Sweden and Finland have intensified their military cooperation with each other and with NATO in recent years. Although both countries have emphasized their autonomy in making security policy decisions, they have also expressed their desire to go hand in hand with potential NATO membership.
Marin said that there were risks with both applying for membership and not doing so.
At the same time, President Niinisto said on Wednesday that “it would be best for Finland and Sweden to decide together and find the same path.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday reiterated his claim that further NATO expansion would not bring stability to the European continent.
Source: sn.dk