Washington DC, 3 April 2023 (TDI): The US European Command has congratulated Finland on its accession to NATO, which will make it the 31st member of the world’s largest military alliance.

The announcement was made by NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg on Monday, who said he looked forward to raising Finland’s flag at NATO headquarters in the coming days.

NATO Secretary-General said that Finland has completed the historic ratification of its accession to NATO and congratulated Finnish President, Sauli Niinistö on this significant achievement.

Stoltenberg emphasized that NATO membership will make Finland stronger and safer and that Turkey, the last country to ratify Finland’s membership, will hand over the official documents to US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken on Tuesday.

Notably, the Defense Minister of Finland, Antti Kaikkonen, and Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto will join President Niinistö at the ceremony, where they will emphasize Finland’s commitment to promoting stability & security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.

In a statement, Haavisto noted that Finland’s most important objective at the meeting will be to highlight NATO’s support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.

This historic moment marks Finland’s long-standing efforts to strengthen its relationship with NATO and enhance its national security.

Joining NATO: A Milestone Moment for Finland’s Security and Defense

For information, Finland has participated in NATO’s Partnership for Peace program since 1994 and has contributed to NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and Kosovo.

Finland’s membership in NATO will provide greater security and stability in the region and enable Finland to work more closely with its allies to address common security challenges.

As Finland joins NATO, the alliance continues to expand its membership and deepen its partnership with nations committed to upholding the principles of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Therefore, the addition of Finland to the NATO alliance is a significant step towards ensuring peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and demonstrates NATO’s continued relevance and importance in today’s world.

Also, Finland’s membership in NATO highlights the alliance’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with Sweden, which is also seeking expedited membership after Russia invaded Ukraine.

As NATO continues to grow and evolve, it remains committed to ensuring the security and prosperity of all its members, and to promoting stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic region.

Also Read: Sweden & Finland’s NATO Membership: Benefits for all involved

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