FINLAND JOINS NATO
Finland deposited its document of admission to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels today, April 4, 2023, officially becoming the alliance’s newest member. Finland’s accession protocol was signed by NATO allies on July 5, 2022, and all 30 national parliaments then voted to ratify Finland’s membership.
As Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto delivered Finland’s instrument of accession to the US government, which was represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Jens Stoltenberg of NATO declared, “We welcome Finland to the Alliance!”
The Secretary General praised President Niinistö for his great leadership and for bringing Finland into the most prosperous Alliance in history in a speech prior to the ceremony. He added, “I look forward to receiving Sweden as soon as possible and I am deeply happy to welcome Finland as a full-fledged member of our Alliance.
The Secretary General added that President Putin’s failure to “slam NATO’s door shut” is demonstrated by Finland’s membership in NATO.” “Instead of less NATO, he has achieved the opposite; more NATO and our door remains firmly open,” he declared.
In the presence of President Niinistö, Foreign Minister Haavisto, Defence Minister Kaikkonen, the foreign ministers of all NATO Allies, and invitee Sweden, the Finnish national song and the NATO hymn were performed as Finland’s flag was flown outside NATO Headquarters for the first time.
Both Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia, and Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) in Mons, Belgium, simultaneously raised their flags. The Secretary General remarked, standing next to President Niinistö, “Finland is safer and NATO is stronger with Finland as an Ally. Your military is strong and very capable, and your resiliency is unmatched. For many years, Finnish and NATO troops have worked together as partners. We will stand together as Allies as of right now.
- What Is NATO?
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, commonly known as NATO, is a political and military alliance of North American and European countries. It was established on April 4, 1949, with the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington, D.C., by 12 founding members: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Portugal, and the United States. Since then, NATO has expanded to include 30 member countries.
The primary purpose of NATO is to provide collective defense against potential security threats to member countries. The alliance is based on the principle of collective defense, which means that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members. To this end, NATO member countries commit to mutual defense and military cooperation, including joint training and exercises, intelligence sharing, and the development of common defense capabilities.
NATO also serves as a forum for political and security cooperation among its members. It has a number of committees and working groups that address a wide range of issues, including counterterrorism, cyber defense, energy security, and defense planning.
One of NATO’s key strengths is its ability to project stability and security beyond its borders. It does this through a range of activities, such as supporting international peacekeeping and security operations, building partner capacity through training and education, and providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
NATO has played a significant role in global security since its inception. During the Cold War, NATO served as a bulwark against Soviet expansionism in Europe. Since the end of the Cold War, NATO has continued to adapt to new security challenges, including terrorism, cyber threats, and instability in the Middle East and North Africa.
NATO has also been involved in a number of military operations, including the 1995 Bosnia and Herzegovina intervention, the 1999 Kosovo War, the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, and the 2011 military intervention in Libya.
Despite its successes, NATO has faced criticism and challenges throughout its history. Some have argued that the alliance is too focused on military solutions and lacks sufficient attention to political and diplomatic efforts to address security challenges. Others have criticized NATO’s expansion into Eastern Europe, arguing that it has heightened tensions with Russia and increased the risk of conflict.
Despite these challenges, NATO remains a vital component of global security. It is a symbol of transatlantic unity and cooperation, and its collective defense commitment has helped to maintain peace and stability in Europe for over 70 years.
- NATO And Finland’s Relationship
Finland has had a close relationship with the organization through various partnerships and cooperation programs.
Finland was officially a neutral country, meaning it does not align itself with any military alliance or coalition. This position has historically been seen as a way for Finland to maintain its independence and sovereignty, particularly in the face of its powerful neighbor, Russia.
Despite this neutrality, Finland has been an active participant in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program since 1994. This program allows non-NATO countries to participate in military exercises and other forms of cooperation with the organization. Finland has also been Involved in NATO-led operations, such as the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
Finland has also signed several bilateral agreements with NATO, including a memorandum of understanding in 2014 that increased cooperation in areas such as cyber defense and crisis management.
However, Finland’s relationship with NATO remains a sensitive topic within the country. There is a significant portion of the population that is opposed to joining the organization, citing concerns about the loss of neutrality and the potential for increased tensions with Russia.
- Finland And It’s Neutrality
Finland was not officially a neutral country, but it has maintained a policy of military non-alignment since the end of World War II. This means that Finland was not a member of any military alliance, such as NATO or the Warsaw Pact, and does not participate in military operations abroad. However, Finland does cooperate with both NATO and Russia on a range of issues, including military exercises, and it is a member of the Partnership for Peace program. Additionally, Finland maintains a strong national defense capability and has conscription for all males.
