Report weighing NATO membership submitted to parliament

The government on Wednesday adopted a report on changes in the security environment and submitted it to the parliament with the view to assess the effects of the possible NATO membership application and making a decision in this regard.

The report assessed fundamental changes in Finland's foreign and security policy environment following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but did not include any conclusions or present new security policy guidelines, said the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in a press release.

“The report assesses the consequences of the changed security environment for Finland. The report is intended to provide Parliament the opportunity to engage in a broad and thorough debate on foreign, security and defence policy. Parliament is expected to respond to the report by issuing a parliamentary communication. This means the matter will then be referred back to the Government and the President of the Republic for consideration,” said Minister for Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, who leads the government-appointed coordination group and the foreign and security policy group in the preparation of the report.

Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland has further deepened cooperation with NATO. Finland considers it important that NATO has consistently reaffirmed its open door policy.

The report also presented an assessment the effects on Finland if Finland were to seek membership and describes the possible accession process.

Maintaining national room to manoeuvre and freedom of choice remain integral parts of Finland's foreign, security and defence policy. Finland retains the option of joining a military alliance and applying for NATO membership. Solutions are always examined in real time.

The report examined actions to develop Finland´s national defence capability, the European Union as a security policy actor and closer bilateral cooperation with Sweden, Norway and other Nordic countries.

It also discussed Finland´s relationship with the United States, the United Kingdom, NATO and multilateral defence cooperation partners.

The report described the opportunities these forms of cooperation and partnerships provide Finland in the current security situation.

The report also describes preparedness for hybrid and cyber influence activities as well as the effects on and preparedness relating to internal security, civil defence, resilience, the economy, security of supply, the wider functions of society and critical infrastructure. The importance to Finland’s security of maintaining resilience in society, national defence and internal security is highlighted.

The report complemented the Government Report on Finnish Foreign and Security Policy, Government Defence Report, Government Report on Internal Security, and Government Report on EU Policy.

The war of aggression started by Russia is a blatant violation of international law and jeopardises the security and stability of the whole of Europe both over the short and long term. Russia's aggression is also a violation of the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The report described this change. Finland will strengthen its preparedness and security in response to the changes in the operating environment.

“In response to the changed security situation, Finland will continue active and proactive diplomacy, strengthen its security and its defence capability and intensify its long-term cooperation with key partners. Finland makes its foreign and security policy decisions independently,” said Haavisto.