President, PM for NATO membership bid without delay

President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Thursday stated their positions in favour of Finland´s possible application for NATO membership.

Niinistö and Marin in a joint statement stated their views in the morning saying that NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security and Finland must apply for the membership without delay.

“NATO membership would strengthen Finland's security. As a member of NATO, Finland would strengthen the entire defence alliance. Finland must apply for NATO membership without delay,” they said in the statement, adding that their equal views, also for information to the parliamentary groups and parties.

“We hope that the national steps still needed to make this decision will be taken rapidly within the next few days,” said the President and PM in the statement.

During this spring, an important discussion on Finland's possible NATO membership has taken place. Time has been needed to let Parliament and the whole society establish their stands on the matter, they said.

“Time has been needed for close international contacts with NATO and its member countries, as well as with Sweden. We have wanted to give the discussion the space it required,” the statement added.

Earlier on 5 May, President Sauli Niinistö said that he will disclose his position on the NATO membership application by May 12.