The President of Finland, Sauli Niinisto, and the Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, have celebrated on Tuesday the formal accession of the Nordic country to NATO, »a new era» with which they hope to further strengthen security after almost ten months of waiting since the formal request for membership.
»Finland is entering a new era as a member of NATO,» said Marin, »proud» to end a »historic process. »Thank you to our allies for the trust. Together, we will be even stronger,» she has stressed on Twitter.
Niniisto also emphasized in a statement that »a new era begins,» as Finland puts an end to a period marked by »non-alignment.» The military offensive launched by Russia on Ukraine in February 2022 was key to this turnaround.
Finland is offering to contribute to collective defense and, at the same time, feels that it is gaining in terms of its own security. The president has warned, however, that this incorporation does not mean that Finland will stop seeking »the peaceful resolution of disputes» and has pointed out that »it is not directed against anyone», in an apparent response to the misgivings publicly expressed by neighboring Russia, with which it shares more than 1,300 kilometers of border.
Niinisto also acknowledged that, over the next few years, Finland will have to adapt its legislation to promote its »compatibility» with NATO as a whole and pointed out that »considerable work» remains to be done if the country is to be integrated into the common defense.
Finland applied to join the Atlantic Alliance hand in hand with Sweden, a country that Niinisto also wanted to remember on this historic day. Finland’s integration is not complete without Sweden. The insistent efforts for Sweden’s rapid entry continue,» he promised.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
