Brussels, 1 April 2023 (GNP): When Turkiye ratifies Finland’s membership in the western defense alliance, the Nordic nation will be officially welcomed into NATO “within days,” according to an announcement made by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Friday.
“All 30 NATO allies have now ratified the accession protocol,” said Stoltenberg. “Finland will formally join our alliance in the coming days”, he added.
Furthermore, he praised the president of Finland for overcoming the last remaining barrier to membership.
“I look forward to raising Finland’s flag at NATO HQ in the coming days. Together we are stronger and safer,” he tweeted.
I congratulated President @niinisto on the completion of the historic ratification of #Finland’s accession. I look forward to raising #Finland’s flag at #NATO HQ in the coming days. Together we are stronger & safer.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 31, 2023
The situation in Ukraine has shaken up European security and compelled Finland and its neighbor Sweden to break years of non-alignment and pursue membership in NATO’s defense alliance.
Due to fears over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland has finally ended decades of neutrality over NATO.
Turkiye’s parliament finally approved Finland’s application for membership in the US-led military alliance on Thursday, removing the last remaining obstacle for Finland after many months of delays.
I welcome the vote of the Grand National Assembly of #Türkiye to complete the ratification of #Finland’s accession. This will make the whole #NATO family stronger & safer.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 30, 2023
Finland “has highly capable forces, advanced capabilities, and strong democratic institutions,” said Stoltenberg in a separate statement. Thus, Finland will contribute greatly to our alliance, he remarked.
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As per authorities and analysts, Finland’s accession to NATO strengthens the alliance’s military and provides it with a strategic element that may better aid in defending its exposed eastern border from a potential Russian invasion.
Last year, President Vladimir Putin’s all-out attack on Ukraine was partially justified by Moscow’s argument that it had to halt future NATO expansion in its neighborhood.
Yet after 13 months, Finland’s decision to join NATO has resulted in the coalition’s expansion of its border with Russia, shifting the focus of military planning from the Baltic area to the Arctic.
In the face of a proactive Russia, Jamie Shea, a former senior NATO official who is currently an associate fellow at the think tank Chatham House, stated that “Now Finland needs NATO, but NATO needs Finland as well in the face of an aggressive Russia”.
“NATO will find a collective defense against Russia easier now that it has access to Finnish territory and the capabilities Finland brings to the table”, she added.
