The remaining steps for Finland

Leksand extended the winning streak beat AIK

Both Hungary and Turkey have now said yes to Finland’s NATO membership. Here are the remaining steps before Finland officially enters the alliance. The newspaper Helsingin Sanomat describes the way forward based on information from Kaija Suvanto, head of legal affairs at the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 1. Turkey and Hungary deliver their letters of approval to the US After the two countries have made their national decisions, the documents of approval must be submitted to the US State Department, which deposits NATO’s founding treaty. The ministry then immediately informs NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that the conditions for admitting Finland have been met. 2. NATO sends a letter of invitation to Finland The invitation, signed by Stoltenberg, is sent to Finland from NATO headquarters in Brussels. At the earliest, it may take a few hours to receive the invitation, at the latest a few days. 3. Finland’s foreign minister signs the accession document Only after Finland has received the invitation can the country send its accession document to the US Foreign Ministry for deposit. The accession document must be signed by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto. 4. Finland’s accession document is handed over to the USA The accession document is delivered to the Foreign Ministry in the USA for deposit, probably either through the Finnish embassy in Washington or by someone from the Finnish government traveling there. 5. Finland becomes a member of NATO The moment Finland’s accession documents are submitted to the US State Department, the country becomes a full member of NATO. At the same time, the North Atlantic Treaty becomes internationally binding for Finland. In the player above: TV4 News reporter in Finland: “Historic step – and emotional end point”

t4-general