Finland: "Sweden and NATO Membership Decisions May Be Made Simultaneously"

Prime Minister Sanna Marin: "Decision on NATO Membership Application to Be Made Within Weeks"

Pekka Haavisto, Finnish Minister for Foreign Affairs. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] The Finnish Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that Finland and Sweden might make a decision on joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) simultaneously.

According to local media on the 26th (local time), Pekka Haavisto, Finland's Minister of Foreign Affairs, told reporters, "Since Sweden has decided to expedite its parliamentary procedures, if decisions regarding membership are made, they could occur on the same day or at least within the same week."

He added that the parliaments of both countries "need time to discuss this matter," but did not specify any concrete dates related to such decisions.

Earlier, the Finnish daily Iltalehti reported that the Swedish government recently proposed that the two countries apply for NATO membership simultaneously, and the Finnish government agreed to this proposal.

The Swedish daily Expressen also confirmed this report by citing government officials, stating that the simultaneous NATO membership applications by the two countries could take place in the third week of May.

However, Minister Haavisto did not confirm the accuracy of these reports. According to dpa news agency, he said that the two countries are sharing information about the progress, but no specific bilateral agreement has been reached yet. He added that each country will make independent decisions.

Finland has maintained a neutral stance under its policy of military non-alignment with its neighboring country Sweden, cooperating with NATO without joining it.

However, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, public opinion in both countries has shifted more favorably toward NATO membership, sparking debates on the issue.

Meanwhile, Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin recently stated that Finland will make a decision on whether to apply for NATO membership within the coming weeks. Sweden is also discussing NATO membership following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.