(Copenhagen) Finland hopes for “the fastest possible” ratification by the 30 members of NATO, in the event of a candidacy alone or with Sweden to join the Atlantic alliance, its Prime Minister Sanna Marin said on Wednesday.
Posted at 12:20 p.m.
But Helsinki is also conducting discussions with the main countries of the alliance to obtain guarantees of protection during the period of membership which can last several months, she added, citing the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
“If Finland and Sweden were candidates, the key issue is to have the shortest possible ratification process,” said Mr.me Marin at a press conference of Nordic leaders in Copenhagen.
“It would be the best security guarantee we could have,” she pleaded.
“But of course, we are discussing specifically with the larger NATO member countries, the security guarantees and the security problems that we could have” during the interim period, affirmed the Social Democratic leader.
The British Minister of Defense, who was at the same time in Finland to attend military exercises dubbed “Arrow 2022”, promised the “support” of the United Kingdom in the event of an attack against the Nordic country.
“I can’t imagine that we won’t come and support Finland and Sweden wherever they are on the debate about NATO and their agreements, I think that’s what really binds us,” said Ben Wallace at a press conference.
“We would do everything we could do for Finland,” promised the minister during this trip to Kankaanpää, in the south-west of the country, where the exercises brought together 3,400 soldiers and 150 armored vehicles.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Helsinki and Stockholm are getting closer to a candidacy, possibly joint, to better protect themselves from their Russian neighbor.
Unanimity is emerging to welcome Finland and Sweden into the ranks of NATO, according to the military alliance, but the ratification process involves a green light from the parliaments of the 30 countries.
Only members of NATO formally benefit from the protection of Article 5, the security umbrella of the military alliance launched by the United States at the start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö is due to make his personal position public on May 12 regarding Finland’s candidacy for NATO, but strong support from public opinion and members of Parliament has already been won.
According to Finnish media, the government’s decision could come in the next few days.
On the Swedish side, the government and the parties in Parliament are due to present a security review on May 13 on the question of membership.
Stockholm is consulting with member countries. Its head of diplomacy Ann Linde traveled to the United States on Tuesday and is continuing her visit to Canada.