A historic change not only in security policy Finland – Sweden, but also for the security policy of Europe itself, recommends the accession of Sweden and Finland to NATO, with the strengthening of the European voice in the Alliance, and a geostrategic upgrade of the alliance itself.
The Finnish application, which will be submitted within the next two or three days, marks a dramatic change in the country’s security policy, away from its traditional military neutrality.
Finland and neighboring Sweden have been “reinforced members” of NATO’s Partnership for Peace program since 2013, and regularly participate in operations and exercises under NATO, notes the Finnish network YLE.
Prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, support for membership in the alliance had not been widely accepted in Finnish opinion and in almost all political parties. Following the Russian invasion of Finland, public support for accession increased dramatically.
The Finnish Parliament begins the debate on Monday morning. Following an open debate and assured approval by the legislature, the President and the Government will initiate the application process, probably even on Tuesday.
Neighboring Sweden must also decide on its application immediately. The once-negative ruling Social Democratic Party (SDP) officially announced its stance in favor of membership on Sunday afternoon.
Finnish Prime Minister Sana Marin and SDP leader’s counterpart, Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson, have coordinated their moves towards NATO. Marin said they will probably submit their applications at the same time.
“We believe that Sweden needs it “the official security guarantees that accompany NATO membership,” he added.
A joint NATO bid with Finland is best for Sweden and its security, Anderson said.
“The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people is to join NATO,” she said.
The Social Democratic Party, however, states that it is opposed to the establishment of permanent NATO bases, as well as nuclear weapons on Swedish territory, elements which, however, are not preconditions for a country to join the Atlantic Alliance.
The President of Finland is “confused” by Erdogan’s stance
Asked about Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s comment on Friday that Turkey would be “impossible” to approve the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO because of the Nordic countries’ support for the pro-Kurdish separatists. that he was “confused” from this statement. He referred to Erdogan in a communication about a month ago, in which he said that the Turkish president raised the issue of NATO, saying that Turkey would support an effort.
Niinisto has said he is ready to discuss any issue with Erdogan.
“Bluff” Erdogan
Meanwhile, as a “bluff” to get more in return, analysts comment on the negative attitude of the Turkish president in the accession of the two countries to the Alliance.
Finnish Foreign Minister Peka Haavisto said on Sunday that Finland’s stance on the Kurdish militant group PKK was in line with that of the EU, which has described it as a terrorist group.
Haavisto met in Berlin on Saturday with Turkish counterpart Mevlüt ÇavuÅŸoλουlu, who hinted that Ankara would not necessarily prevent Finland and Sweden from joining NATO, but that he wanted to “Negotiate the issue”.
The NATO and the United States They expressed confidence that Turkey would not “slow down” the accession of Finland and Sweden to the Western military alliance, as the two Nordic countries took firm steps to join in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commented on Sunday that he was “quite confident” that the allies would reach a consensus on Finland and Sweden. Similar were the comments made by NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, who said that Turkey “has made it clear that its intention is not to prevent Finland and Sweden from joining NATO”.
Any decision on NATO enlargement requires the approval of all 30 allies and their parliaments. Ankara, a NATO member for 70 years, will be under tremendous pressure to retreat, NATO diplomats pointed out that the alliance believes that the accession of Finland and Sweden would strengthen to a great extent in the Baltic Sea.
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