NATO | Latvia would accept Finland’s NATO application “same afternoon”: “It would be great,” says Prime Minister Kariņš

Brussels

Latvian the Prime Minister Krišjãnis Kariņšin According to him, Latvia would accept Finland’s application for NATO membership “on the same afternoon” if Finland applied for membership of the military alliance.

“It would be great. If Finland and Sweden decided to join NATO, it would be a good thing for the security of the whole of Northern Europe, ”says Kariņš.

Kariņš answered the HS’s question when he arrived at the EU summit in Brussels on Friday.

NATO decides on new members unanimously. Finland’s possible application for NATO membership requires ratification, ie approval, in each individual NATO member country. In their speeches, the leaders of several major NATO countries, such as Britain, France, Germany and the United States, have emphasized the NATO principle of open doors.

Kariņšin In his opinion, two things are mixed if one thinks that Finland’s application for membership could escalate the current situation in Europe.

“Escalation only happens through perceived weakness. If Vladimir Putin mistakenly assuming any border neighbor is weak or vulnerable, theoretically it could lead Russia to make bad decisions, ”says Kariņš.

“But when we are strong, Putin understands that. And Finland has fantastic defense forces, the target of the envy of many countries. Latvia has taken the example of Finland in its defense planning. If your country were a member of NATO, then of course the full force of NATO’s 30 member countries would be behind you. That would be a strong signal to Putin. “

According to Kariņš, it is also understood in Latvia if the NATO decision is hesitated in Finland.

“For us, it was the best decision we have made in terms of safety. If Finland made the same decision, we would accept Finland with open arms. It would bring complete clarity to regional security. We are all in the same boat. ”

HS asked on Friday also from the Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Crooltahow Belgium would react to Finland ‘s application for membership.

Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo arrived at the EU summit on Friday morning. Picture: Ludovic Marin / AFP

“Each country must be able to decide on its NATO membership independently. That has always been our view, and that is what happened after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The countries regarded NATO as a guarantor of peace and stability. If Finland decided to join, it would be Finland’s own decision, and if Finland wanted to be one of them, I would very much welcome it. ”

According to De Croon, a NATO decision must be able to be made without any external pressure.

“Without pressure from NATO and especially without any pressure from Russia.”

HS also asked the Dutch prime minister on Thursday From Mark Ruttel The Dutch position on Finland’s possible application for NATO membership.

Rutte did not answer the question directly, but said that the Netherlands would follow Finland’s internal discussion with interest.

Read more: Prime Minister Mark Rutte did not answer the question whether the Netherlands would support Finland’s NATO membership: “It will not alleviate the situation of Finns if I speculate”

In Finland the government has begun preparing a report on, among other things, NATO and foreign and security policy.

Many parties are also currently considering their NATO line. According to opinion polls majority of Finns now supports NATO membership. Citizens’ opinions have become more positive historically.

The background is Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a month ago. It undermined Finland’s relations with Russia and broke the international security system based on agreements and rules.