At an official ceremony in Brussels on Tuesday, Finland became the 31st Member State of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) security alliance. Finnish Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto, officially handed over Finland’s accession documents to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, formalising the nation’s membership.
At a media event outside of NATO’s new headquarters in the Brussels municipality of Haren, NATO officials and members of the press gathered to watch Finland’s national flag be hoisted alongside the flags of the other 30 member nations. The event coincided with the alliance’s 74th anniversary.
Finland’s NATO membership was spurred by Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine last year. With a sizable and porous border with Russia, Finnish officials worried that it may fall victim to Russian attacks or provocations.
The external borders of the NATO alliance have now nearly doubled, with Finland sharing a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia. The Kremlin sees Finland’s accession as a threat to its national security, previously warning that Finland's membership made it a “legitimate target” and warning of “counter-measures.”
Around 80% of the Finnish population are in favour of NATO membership. Under Article 5 of the official NATO treaty, an attack against one member of the alliance is an attack against its entirety, providing a new heightened level of security protection. Alliance membership also means that the Finnish army must standardise its equipment and integrate into the larger NATO command structure.
Remarks by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Credit: NATO
“Finland will get an iron-clad security guarantee. Article 5 – our collective defence clause “One for all and all for one” – will now from today apply for Finland,” announced NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the event.
Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, in an official announcement, hailed the Finnish ascension as a historic day. “Membership of the Alliance provides security for Finland. Finland, on other hand, provides security for the Alliance.” It also notes that the country’s membership is “not targeted against anyone” or changes its commitments to stability.
— Sauli Niinistö (@niinisto) April 4, 2023
At the Brussels City Hall, the Finnish flag is flying in celebration of Finland’s new security alliance membership. In a post on Twitter, Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo congratulated Finland on its membership, noting that “with Finland joining on this NATO day, our Alliance will be stronger and Europe safer.”
Collective defence
Finland has a large and highly-trained army, well-suited for the winter conditions of what is now NATO’s longest border. Finland has an active armed forces of 30,000 members, but can also call on 250,000 reservists thanks to its mandatory civil service. During the Winter War in 1939, Finnish forces put up a valiant resistance against the invading Soviet Union army.
President Sauli Niinistö (Finland) delivers his remarks on Finland's NATO membership. Credit: NATO
Likewise, head of diplomacy for the European Union, Josep Borrell, said that he "warmly" welcomed the country becoming part of NATO and said that it was a "historic step" in strengthening the Alliance and the "EU-NATO strategic partnership."
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The United Kingdom, also a member of the alliance, is now calling on other NATO members to speedily approve Sweden’s NATO status. This is currently being delayed by alliance members Hungary and Turkey over what Hungary describes as “grievances.” Turkey is also demanding the return of what it describes as terrorists currently living in Sweden before it greenlights membership.
“All NATO members must now take the necessary decision to also admit Sweden, so that we can form a united alliance to defend freedom in Europe and around the world,” Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said in a statement.
