Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson: No new date or venue has been set for the meeting between Araghchi and Witkoff, and no negotiations will take place until the outcome is guaranteed
Palestinian platforms: Settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque complex under the protection of the occupation police
Palestinian platforms: The IOF detonated a booby-trapped robot east of the al-Zaytoun neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Syrian Defense: We call on all parties in Sweida to cooperate with security forces and exercise restraint
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese Army is continuing its investigations and will later announce any information that does not affect the confidentiality of the investigation
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: It has not yet been determined whether the detainees belong to ISIS or another organization
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 10 people of different nationalities, including Lebanese nationals, were detained
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Lebanese army arrested a number of people in the Matn area of Mount Lebanon with possession it has not disclosed
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: We have strong indications that there are martyrs, injuries, and trapped people in the Salah al-Din area
Gaza Civil Defense spokesman: Citizens should avoid Salah al-Din Street because anyone who approaches it is at risk of being directly targeted

Finland President, PM in favor of joining NATO 'without delay'

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 12 May 2022 18:55
4 Min Read

A special committee will announce Finland's formal decision on a NATO membership bid on Sunday.

  • x
  • Finland's president and prime minister
    Finland's President and Prime Minister

Finland's President and Prime Minister stated on Thursday that they are in favor of joining NATO, and a formal decision will be taken this weekend.

The Kremlin immediately responded to the announcement, saying Finnish membership in NATO was "definitely" a threat to Russia.

Neighbouring Sweden, which like Finland has been military non-aligned for decades, is also expected to announce its decision in the coming days, very likely at a meeting on Sunday of Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson's Social Democratic Party.

"Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay," President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin stressed in a joint statement.

"NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance," the statement read.

Russia warns of consequences

A special committee will announce Helsinki's formal decision on a membership bid on Sunday, it added.

Moscow has repeatedly warned Stockholm and Helsinki of the consequences if they were to join NATO.

Niinisto told reporters on Wednesday that "joining NATO would not be against anyone."

76% of Finns support joining NATO

In the same context, a poll published on Monday by public broadcaster Yle showed that a record 76% of Finns now support joining NATO, up from the steady 20-30% registered in recent years.

Related News

Ex-Swedish PM: Finland entering NATO first 'not good for Sweden'

Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson resigns, right-wing bloc wins elections

A country of 5.5 million people, Finland shares a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) border with Russia.

Defence Minister Antti Kaikkonen pointed out Thursday a NATO bid would "significantly raise the threshold for Finland to be the target of a military attack."

"This is a defensive solution that threatens no one," he wrote on his blog.

Kaikkonen said he hoped Sweden would come to the same conclusion and "we could apply for membership together."

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde told news agency TT that "Finland's decision is naturally of great importance to Sweden" and said her government would announce its decision "soon". 

European Council President Charles Michel wrote on Twitter that Finland joining NATO would "greatly contribute to European security. With Russia waging war in Ukraine it's a powerful signal of deterrence."

Finland could be NATO member "at the earliest" on Oct. 1

Finland and Sweden have long cooperated with NATO and are expected to be able to join the alliance quickly.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Thursday that Finland's entry would be "smooth and swift."

The next step is for Finland's President and Ministerial Committee on Foreign and Security Policy -- a body made up of the President, Prime Minister, and up to six other cabinet ministers -- to meet on Sunday.

The committee will make the formal decision on whether to submit a Finnish application.

The proposal will then be presented to parliament for a debate, which is expected to take place on Monday. 

After an official bid is submitted to the alliance, negotiations get underway. Lawmakers in all 30 NATO member states then need to ratify Finland's application, a process that can take months.

Foreign Minister Haavisto said on Tuesday he believed Finland could be a full NATO member "at the earliest" on October 1.

As candidate countries are not covered by NATO's Article 5 mutual defense agreement, both Finland and Sweden have sought assurances from NATO members that they would be protected while awaiting full membership.

  • Magdalena Andersson
  • Nato
  • Finland
  • Europe
  • Russia
  • European Council
  • Helsinki
  • EU
  • Sweden
  • Charles Michel
  • Nato Alliance
  • Jens Stoltenberg
  • Ukraine
  • Sanna Marin
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

Hezbollah SG reveals war details on Al Mayadeen for the first time

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Major ambush in Gaza kills 6 Israeli troops, injures dozens

Major ambush in Gaza kills 5 Israeli troops, injures 14

  • Politics
  • 8 Jul 2025
Israeli soldiers are seen in Beit Hanoun ahead of an operation by the al-Qassam Brigades, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

'Israel' on blast as media exposes report discrepancies in Gaza ambush

  • Palestine
  • 8 Jul 2025
Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

Yemen Navy sinks ETERNITY C ship, shares footage of operation

  • Politics
  • 9 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The Freedom Flotilla ship Handala as it departs for Gaza, where it aims to break the maritime blockade at a port in Syracuse, Sicily in southern Italy on July 13, 2025. (AFP)
Palestine

Freedom Flotilla's Handala departs Sicily in bid to break Gaza siege

The container ship CMA CGM Laperouse, left, docks at the Georgia Ports Authority's Port of Savannah, Sept. 29, 2021, in Savannah, Ga (AP)
Politics

US shipbuilding woes deepen as tariffs, outdated policies backfire

Gaza war raises ethical questions for ex-Obama, Biden officials
Politics

Mercenary firm tied to Gaza war crimes hires Obama-Biden PR operatives

'Israel' targets children in Gaza collecting water
Palestine

'Israel' strikes Gaza kids fetching water, blames it on 'malfunction'

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS