Yle News
March 31, 2023

Sanna Marin on Nato process: “I am very proud of the Finnish people”

Prime Minister Sanna Marin (SDP) has praised the Finnish people for their role in Finland’s “historic” accession to the Nato alliance.

The last potential barrier to Finland’s membership was removed late on Thursday evening when Turkey’s parliament voted by 276-0 to ratify Finland’s membership.

Speaking to Yle at an election event in Vantaa, Marin said that the ratification of Finland’s membership application by the parliaments of all 30 current Nato member states is a huge achievement.

“Yes, this is a historic moment in many ways. I am also very proud of the Finnish people, the entire political leadership and the way we have been able to bring this process to the finish line together. This is a great moment,” Marin stated.

***

Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green) told Yle he received a late night call from his Turkish counterpart on Thursday.

“It was a moment of joy when the Turkish Foreign Minister called me at midnight to say that the Parliament had voted unanimously in favour of Finland’s membership of Nato,” he said.

Haavisto added that Finland could officially become a member of Nato as early as the beginning of next week.

***

The most significant change brought about by Nato membership, in Haavisto’s view, is the protection that Finland will receive under the alliance’s Article 5.

“Finland is militarily secure thanks to our own defence forces, but we are better protected against new threats as a member of Nato,” he noted, adding that he also hopes Sweden will become a member as soon as possible.

“It is difficult to make defence plans in the Baltic Sea and Nordic regions without Sweden,” Haaviso said.