Finland’s parliament votes yes to NATO

HELSINKI, Might 17 (Reuters) - Finland's parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a proposal to apply for membership of the NATO navy alliance in a historic policy shift prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Sauli Niinisto and the federal government decided formally on Sunday that Finland would apply for membership however the determination was pending parliament's approval.

Of the 200 lawmakers, 188 voted in favour and eight against the applying, Speaker Matti Vanhanen mentioned.

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International Minister Pekka Haavisto stated the decision was no purpose to rejoice as a result of "there is battle in Europe".

"Finland's membership in NATO is not going to change our fundamental thinking that we will all the time search peaceful options and we're a peace-loving nation that can before everything seek diplomatic solutions to each conflict," he mentioned throughout the debate.

Opponents to the appliance included some lawmakers from the Left Alliance, a part of Finland's five-party coalition, amongst them Markus Mustajarvi who challenged the choice with a counter proposal resulting in it being put to the vote.

"Our border would grow to be the border between the army alliance and Russia. New tensions would not be a threat solely through the application process but moderately a new and everlasting situation of our overseas and security policy," he mentioned.

Early on Tuesday, the overseas affairs committee decided to hitch the state management in proposing to parliament that the Nordic nation ought to apply for membership.

"Having heard a very giant variety of specialists and having received the opinions of 10 (parliamentary) committees, the international affairs committee agrees with the government that Finland ought to apply for membership in NATO. This resolution is unanimous," chairman Jussi Halla-aho told reporters.

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Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Modifying by Robert Birsel and Alison Williams

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