Finland reserves the right to apply to join NATO, depending on the situation. This was announced on February 9 by Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.
“As noted in the Finnish government’s report on foreign and security policy, released in the fall of 2020, Finland’s foreign, security and defense policy is based on providing room for maneuver and opportunities for choice in the national plan,” RIA quotes the head of Finnish diplomacy. News”.
Based on the document, Helsinki retains the possibility of applying for membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.
“When making decisions, the real situation is always considered, taking into account the changes that are taking place in the field of security in the international context,” concluded Haavisto.
On February 2, Finnish President Sauli Niinistö said that the country’s authorities do not see a military threat, the country intends to continue building partnerships with all neighboring states. Despite growing tensions in Europe, Finland’s international position is good, he said.
In January, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said, speaking about the alliance’s open door policy, that the association intends to strengthen cooperation with Finland and Sweden.
On January 1, Niinistö said that Russia’s proposals to the US and NATO on security guarantees run counter to the established security order in Europe. Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin, during her New Year’s address to the citizens, said that the country still has the opportunity to apply for membership in NATO.
On December 17, 2021, the Russian Foreign Ministry published draft agreements between Russia, the United States and NATO on security guarantees. Moscow suggested that the alliance refrain from conducting any military activity on the territory of Ukraine and other states of Eastern Europe, Transcaucasia and Central Asia. Also, Russia and NATO must pledge not to create conditions that can be regarded as a threat by the other side.
In January 2022, negotiations on security guarantees were held in three stages. On January 10, a meeting of the Russian and US delegations took place in Geneva. On January 12, a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council was held in Brussels, and on January 13, consultations ended at the Vienna site of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Source: IZ
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
