17 May 2022, 17:45

Finnish foreign minister signs application to join NATO

Earlier in the day, the Finnish parliament voted 188 to eight in favor of Finland’s applying for NATO membership

STOCKHOLM, May 17. /TASS/. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto on Tuesday signed an application for his country’s joining NATO, Yle TV channel broadcast the ceremony live.

Right before that, President Sauli Niiniste officially approved the parliament’s decision in favor of the country’s application to join NATO via a video link from Stockholm, where he is on a state visit.

The Finnish parliament voted 188 to eight on Tuesday in favor of Finland’s applying for NATO membership.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde signed a bid for the country’s accession to NATO on Tuesday.

The Swedish foreign minister said that she expected the document to be examined and ratified within 12 months.

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