Sat, Nov 23, 2024 | Jumada al-Awwal 21, 1446 | DXB ktweather icon0°C

Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay, Finnish President and PM say

Neighbouring Sweden expected to decide on joining Nato in coming days

Published: Thu 12 May 2022, 11:19 AM

Updated: Thu 12 May 2022, 11:20 AM

  • By
  • Reuters

Top Stories

AFP file

AFP file

Finland should submit an application to join the Nato military alliance, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said in a joint statement on Thursday, a major policy shift triggered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Finland must apply for Nato membership without delay,” Niinisto and Marin said in a joint statement.

The announcement by Niinisto and Marin means Finland is virtually certain to seek the membership though a few steps remain before the application process can begin.

Neighbouring Sweden is expected to decide on joining Nato in coming days.

ALSO READ:

Finland, which shares a 1,300km border and a difficult past with Russia, has previously remained outside the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to maintain friendly relations with its eastern neighbour.



Next Story