Monitoring Desk
HILSINKI: Finland on Tuesday kicks off a debate in the parliament focused on expediting the country’s NATO bid, enhancing the likelihood it will leave military partner and neighbor Sweden behind.
Finland, having one of Europe’s longest borders with Russia, and Sweden set aside their decades-long policies of military non-alignment and applied to become part of the alliance in May 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.
But facing lesser diplomatic hurdles than Stockholm, Helsinki wished to move ahead even before April general elections in Finland, as public opinion also backs membership.
The two sides have the backing of all but two of the 30 members of NATO, the holdouts being Turkey and Hungary.
Many Finnish parliamentarians have supported legislation affirming that Finland accepts the conditions of the NATO treaty to be passed ahead of the elections on April 2.
A vote on the bill is expected on Wednesday.
Having the bill passed means that Hilsinki can act promptly, even if the ratifications come in before setting up the new government.
Finland moves closer to joining NATO
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said on Tuesday amid a visit to Finland that it was time to ratify and fully welcome Sweden and Finland as members adding that both the states have delivered on what they pledged in the trilateral agreement with Turkiye in Madrid last year.
The legislation is expected to pass without key resistance, as the initial membership bid in May was supported by a huge majority of 188 of the 200 total members in the parliament.
Meanwhile, Turkiye has blocked the bids, blaming Sweden in particular for providing space for a safe haven for what they consider “terrorists”, especially members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK).
However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu remarked on Monday that Turkiye looked favorably on Finland’s bid.
“We may separate Finland and Sweden’s membership process,” he further said.
However, Sweden sympathizes with the position of Finland, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson has said that joining Finland alone could further “complicate” the close military cooperation between the Nordic states as Sweden is left isolated outside of NATO protection.
Passing the bill does not mean that Hilsinki will be able to automatically join NATO after ratification by Turkey and Hungary; it will need a deadline for how long it can wait for Sweden.
The government’s chancellor of justice, Tuomas Poysti, remarked that after approval of the bill from the parliament, the president could wait not more than three months for signing it.
Some parliamentarians, specifically in the Left Alliance party, who are vocal in its recent NATO opposition, think Finland should pass the legislation only after the ratifications to ensure coordinated attainment with Sweden.
But a majority of the people and leaders from Finland to join NATO even if Sweden’s membership is delayed, a public poll suggested earlier in February.
