The Finnish Parliament has approved entry into NATO with a large majority of 184 votes in favour and 7 against, in line with the favourable position already expressed last May. The vote has no immediate consequences, pending the ratification of membership by Turkey and Hungary, the only ones among the 30 Alliance member states that have not yet voted on the matter. Finland, however, was determined to complete its process before the April elections. Now it only awaits President Sauli Niinistö’s signature for promulgation. The Hungarian parliament begins debate today over the ratification of the NATO membership of Sweden and Finland, while Turkey continues to put its foot down on Sweden’s membership. Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has summoned the representatives of Sweden, Finland and Turkey to Brussels next week to unblock the accession of the two Nordic countries.
