Finnish President signs laws on the country's NATO membership

President of Finland Sauli Niinisto on March 23, has signed the laws on the country's membership in NATO. The head of state succinctly commented on the act of signing with the phrase: "Here they are", after which he left the presidential palace hall where journalists had gathered, Finnish media company Yle reported.

The domestic legislative procedures necessary for the country to join the alliance have now been completed.

For reference: Finland's parliament on March 1 supported by a majority vote the government's proposal to join the North Atlantic Alliance.

Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional neutrality in May 2022 amid Russia's military invasion of Ukraine and applied to join NATO. Both applications have now been approved by 28 of the bloc's 30 countries, with the exception of Turkiye and Hungary.