This is a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine. After decades of military non-alignment, the Finnish government announced on Sunday May 15 its candidacy to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). “It’s a historic day. A new era is dawning”asserted, at a press conference, the Finnish head of state, Sauli Niinistö.
A follower of a two-century-old policy of neutrality, Sweden is preparing to announce the same decision. Historically opposed to joining NATO, the ruling Swedish Social Democratic Party approved the principle on Sunday. Franceinfo looks back at the codified stages that precede entry into this politico-military organization, created in 1949 and which provides collective security and defense to its members. But after a very strict entrance exam.
Be accepted unanimously by the members
Finland must convince each of the thirty members of NATO of the relevance of its contribution to collective security and of its ability to meet the obligations and commitments arising from the Washington Treaty and the study on NATO enlargement. (which dates from 1995). Thus, during two meetings, at the headquarters of the organization in Brussels, the Finnish spokespersons will have to demonstrate, to the representatives of the countries and to the experts of the Atlantic Alliance, the competence of Finland to integrate the organization.
The first meeting covers political, military and defense issues, and helps to verify that all preconditions for membership are met, reminds NATO on its website. The second, more technical meeting discusses legal, resource and security issues, as well as Finland’s contribution to NATO’s common budget, based on the size of the country’s economy compared to that of other members of the Alliance.
These exchanges, which do not offer the guarantee of validation of the Finnish candidacy, participate in the mechanism of the final decision-making. Decision which must win the unanimity of the members. But Turkey, member of NATO since 1952, has expressed reservations about this candidacy. On Friday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan blamed Finland and Sweden for serving as“hostel for PKK terrorists”the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, considered a terrorist organization by Turkey as well as by the European Union and the United States.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, however, admitted on Sunday that Finland was “very respectful” It front of “worries” from Ankara. The head of Turkish diplomacy, however, said he was waiting to see “guarantees” proposed. The Secretary General of the Alliance, the Norwegian Jens Stoltenberg, for his part said “confident”Sunday, in the possibility for the countries of the Alliance to find a compromise with Turkey.
Present a letter of intent with a timetable for reforms
To join NATO, the candidate country must respect the values set out in the North Atlantic Treaty. It must enjoy a functioning democratic political system, based on the market economy; treat its minorities fairly; commit to resolving conflicts peacefully; be able and willing to make a military contribution to NATO operations and be attached to the democratic nature of relations between civilians, the military and institutions.
The candidate country must then commit to carrying out the necessary reforms and addressing “a letter of intent” to the Secretary General of NATO. Accompanied by a “reform implementation schedule”, which can continue even after the country joins the Alliance. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, Finland and Sweden have notably announced major military investments.
Wait for the ratification of the accession protocol
The final step is the ratification of the accession protocol by each of the member states. They formally transmit their acceptance of the new member to the United States government, depositary of the North Atlantic Treaty. This document then becomes an amendment or an addendum to the Washington Treaty, explains the blog Lines of Defense. It allows the invited country to in turn become an integral part of the treaty.
The ratification procedure varies from one Member State to another. In the United States, a two-thirds majority is required in the Senate. In the United Kingdom, no vote of Parliament is necessary. In France, ratification requires the approval of the National Assembly, explains the blog specializing in defense issues. Therefore the “one for all! All for one” of article 5 – solidarity in the event of aggression – may apply.
Take advantage of a possible reduction in the membership period?
The membership process is relatively long. It took a year for the latest entrant (and 30th member): North Macedonia. But perhaps it could be accelerated for Finland or even Sweden. The Secretary General of NATO not only assured the Finnish candidate that he would be welcomed “open arms” if he decided to join the Alliance, of which he is already a “partner”. He also promised the Finnish government an accession process “fast” and “solutions” to address security concerns between application and final membership.
NATO already considers Sweden and Finland as the two non-member states to which it is closest. While remaining outside NATO, the two countries have forged close ties with the Alliance. . The two countries have thus taken part in missions led by NATO in the Balkans, in Afghanistan and in Iraq, as well as in numerous joint exercises. Members of the European Union, Sweden and Finland also benefit from the mutual assistance clause provided for in article 42-7 for the period of the process of ratifying their NATO membership.