Finland joins NATO

The Finnish government has officially decided to enroll in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. President Sauli Niinistö and Prime Minister Sanna Marin made the announcement at a joint news conference.

"Finland will apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after consultations with parliament," Niinistö said.

Earlier, Pekka Haavisto, Finnish Foreign Minister, said the country's permanent representative to NATO in Brussels could apply to join the alliance on Wednesday, May 18. After that, if negotiations with NATO begin, they will be led by Haavista himself and the Finnish Defense Minister.