The Finnish delegation of the NATO Parliamentary General Assembly will visit the defense alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. Among other things, MPs have discussed NATO’s open door policy.
BRUSSELS Leading the Finnish delegation at the NATO Parliamentary General Assembly Elina Valtonen (collective), the progress of Finland’s NATO process arouses widespread interest.
– In NATO, of course, we are closely monitoring how our membership progresses. Of course, we are hopeful that in the summer we would be further along than now.
During the week, there has been a lively discussion about whether Finland could join NATO before Sweden, if the ratification of Sweden’s application stalls. The common sky should continue, Valtonen estimates.
– There is no such lane where Finland would march towards NATO and Sweden would be left behind. It is not in our interest, nor in NATO’s interest.
According to Valtonen, it is understandable that the progress of ratifications speaks volumes in both Finland and Sweden. He emphasizes that there is no reason to worry in Finland.
– However, you should remember that we have strong defense forces of our own. We have already received security assurances from key partner countries and future allies in the spring.
Small signals are listened to carefully
The center Joona Köntän even small signals are important in the NATO process, which is at a sensitive stage. According to him, temperance is a trump card in the discussion about NATO.
– All statements are listened to carefully.
According to Köntä, it is understandable that waiting for the final ratifications is frustrating.
– Surely many expected that this membership process would have progressed faster, but we must remember that this has nevertheless progressed quite quickly compared to NATO’s history. Finland and Sweden are committed to the process, as is Natok.
The General Assembly gathers the parliamentarians of the Allies
During the two-day visit, the Finnish and Swedish delegations met high-ranking NATO officials and representatives of Finland’s NATO mission in Brussels.
The NATO Parliamentary General Assembly gathers parliamentarians from NATO countries and 11 partner countries. The general assembly, which meets twice a year, acts as a link between the defense union and the allied parliaments.
– The NATO Parliamentary General Assembly is a very important channel where these discussions take place. In the end, politicians decide on issues, while NATO is a military alliance, MP Tom Packalén (ps.) says.
According to Packalén, the discussion of the last few days about the possible separation of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO paths is a storm in a glass.
– The common spirit with Sweden is very strong, and yes, we are going one way there. The fact that we are here together with Sweden is also an important signal in the direction of NATO.
According to experts, Turkey is expected to delay Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership beyond the country’s May elections.