Finland and Sweden confirm the intention to join NATO
New Delhi: The leaders of Finland and Sweden have confirmed they intend to join Nato, signifying a historic Nordic policy shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine that will redraw the security map of Europe.
Abandoning decades of military non-alignment, the two countries’ governments will present their proposals to their respective parliaments on Monday and are expected to formally submit a joint membership application to the 30-member alliance as soon as the decisions are ratified.
The Prime Minister of Sweden, Magdalena Andersson said that “The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people is to join Nato. We believe Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in Nato.”
Finland’s prime minister, Sanna Marin, said she hoped parliament would confirm the decision “in the coming days”, adding that as a member of NATO, Finland would help reinforce not just the 30-member, US-led defensive alliance but also “strengthen the EU, whose voice in Nato can become stronger”.
The President of Finland said, “A new era is opening. A protected Finland is being born as part of a stable, strong, and responsible Nordic region. We gain security, and we also share it. It’s good to keep in mind that security isn’t a zero-sum game.”
“The president and the government’s foreign policy committee have agreed that after consulting parliament, Finland will apply for Nato membership,” President Sauli Niinistö said, hailing the decision as “a historic day” for the Nordic country.
(Vinayak)
