Finland prepares to apply to NATO on May 18

Finland may apply to join NATO on Wednesday, May 18, Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto told the Aftonbladet newspaper.

"Our permanent representative to NATO in Brussels will do this [apply] possibly on Wednesday. If talks with NATO begin, they will be taken care of by a delegation led by the foreign minister and the defense minister," he said.

On May 16, Finland’s parliament will hold debates on the prospects of the country’s accession to NATO. According to a joint statement by Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin published on May 12, Finland should apply for NATO membership as soon as possible.