The United States and the United Kingdom have welcomed Finland as NATO’s 31st Ally on the history day of the 74th Anniversary of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken in a statement on Tuesday, said Finland is stronger and safer within the Alliance, and the Alliance is stronger and safer with Finland as its Ally.
Finland became NATO’s newest member today (4 April 2023), upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels.
NATO Allies signed Finland’s Accession Protocol on 5 July 2022, after which all 30 national parliaments voted to ratify the country’s membership.
Blinken said further that Finland has a highly capable military and has been active participant in NATO-led operations; it also shares our values and strong democratic institutions.
“We are confident Finland’s membership will strengthen our collective defense and enhance our ability to respond to security challenges in the Euro-Atlantic area”, he added.
The Secretary stated that Russia’s further invasion into Ukraine last year precipitated the very thing President Putin wanted to avoid: a stronger, more unified, Transatlantic Alliance. “Sweden is also a strong and capable partner that is ready to join NATO”, he said.
He noted that United States encourage Türkiye and Hungary to ratify the accession protocols for Sweden without delay so that America can welcome Sweden into the Alliance as soon as possible.
Blinken said NATO has helped maintain peace and stability in Europe for over 70 years. “It has also played a critical role in promoting stability and the international rules- based order around the world”.
Also, the United Kingdom Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak has welcomed Finland as NATO Ally, on his social media platform on Tuesday, he said “this is a historic day for you and for our alliance. It’s a step that makes every one of us safer.
UK Prime Minister said further that “All NATO members now need to take necessary steps to admit Sweden, so we stand together as one to defend freedom in Europe and across the world”.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the NATO Secretary General thanked Finland President Niinistö for his outstanding leadership and for leading his country into the most successful Alliance in history.
He said, “I am deeply proud to welcome Finland as a full-fledged member of our Alliance and I look forward to also welcoming Sweden as soon as possible. Joining NATO is good for Finland, it is good for Nordic security and it is good for NATO as a whole”.
The Secretary General also noted that Finland’s accession shows the world that President Putin failed to “slam NATO’s door shut.” “Instead of less NATO, he has achieved the opposite; more NATO and our door remains firmly open,” he said.
Standing alongside Finland President Niinistö, the Secretary General said: “Finland is safer and NATO is stronger with Finland as an Ally.
“Your forces are substantial and highly capable, your resilience is second to none and for many years troops from Finland and NATO countries have worked side-by-side as partners. From today, we stand together as Allies.”
The Finnish national anthem and the NATO hymn were played, as Finland’s flag raised outside Headquarters for the first time, in the presence of President Niinistö, Foreign Minister Haavisto, Defence Minister Kaikkonen, the foreign ministers of all NATO Allies and invitee Sweden.