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NATO membership supported by record 78% of Finns, survey reveals

EVA last conducted the same survey in March, before Finland filed its application to join the US-led military bloc

HELSINKI, November 23. /TASS/. Support for NATO membership in Finland has reached a record 78%, according to the results of a survey of more than 2,000 people by Finnish Business and Policy Forum EVA.

The survey showed that 52% of Finns strongly agree that their country should join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and another 26% agree to some extent. A mere 8% of respondents are opposed to Helsinki’s NATO membership bid. Twelve percent of those polled were neutral, and 2% found it difficult to say.

Also, 53% of the respondents said Finland should be open to any cooperation with NATO, including the stationing of the alliance’s military bases in their country. "Amid changes taking place on the global arena, Finns are ready to at least consider any additional measures to mitigate any threats," EVA Managing Editor Sami Metelinen said.

EVA last conducted the same survey in March, before Finland filed its application to join the US-led military bloc. Back then, NATO membership was supported by 60% of respondents.

In early July, the foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden as well as envoys from the 30 NATO member countries signed protocols on the accession of the two Nordic nations to the alliance at its headquarters. Helsinki and Stockholm will become NATO members as soon as all allies ratify the documents.

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