Finland has today become the 31st member of NATO right ahead a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers. The Secretary General of the North-Atlantic Alliance, Jens Stoltenberg has hailed Finland’s entry into NATO saying quote: It will be a good day for Finland’s security, for Nordic security and for NATO as a whole.”
Finland and Sweden last year applied for NATO accession shortly after the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and they were given the statute of invitees also last year. While Finland got the greenlight from all NATO members, Sweden’s accession has been delayed by Turkey. Stoltenberg has expressed hope that Sweden will soon become a fully-fledged member just like Finland. During their meeting, the allies are expected to tackle the illegal war Russia is presently waging on Ukraine and endorse a multiannual support programme. Southern threats and provocations, the importance of increased investment in the defence industry and China’s increased partnership with Russia are also high on the agenda. NATO’s partners in the Indo-Pacific area and the EU will be participating in talks about the global consequences of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
