Finland is getting closer and closer to applying for NATO membership.

But the Nordic country hopes for "the fastest possible" ratification by the 30 members of the alliance in the event of a candidacy, said its Prime Minister Sanna Marin on Wednesday.

However, as the flapping period is impossible to avoid, Helsinki is also conducting discussions with the main countries of the alliance to obtain guarantees of protection during the period of membership which can last several months, she added, citing the USA, UK, Germany and France.

“Security Guarantee”

“If Finland and Sweden were candidates, the key issue is to have the shortest possible ratification process,” Sanna Marin told a press conference of Nordic leaders in Copenhagen.

“It would be the best security guarantee we could have,” she pleaded.

"But of course, we are discussing specifically with the largest member countries of NATO, on the security guarantees and the security problems that we could have" during the interim period, affirmed the Social Democratic leader.

British support

The British Minister of Defense, who was at the same time in Finland to attend military exercises dubbed “Arrow 2022”, promised the “support” of the United Kingdom in the event of an attack against the Nordic country.

"I can't imagine that we won't come to support Finland and Sweden, wherever they are on the debate on NATO and their agreements, I think that's what really binds us," said Ben Wallace at a press conference.

"We would do everything we could do for Finland," promised the minister during this trip to Kankaanpää, in the south-west of the country, where the exercises brought together 3,400 soldiers and 150 armored vehicles.

The time of Parliaments

Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Helsinki and Stockholm are getting closer to a candidacy, possibly joint, to better protect themselves from their Russian neighbor.

Unanimity is emerging to welcome Finland and Sweden into the ranks of NATO, according to the military alliance, but the ratification process involves a green light from the parliaments of the 30 countries.

Only NATO members formally benefit from the protection of Article 5, the security umbrella of the military alliance launched by the United States at the start of the Cold War with the Soviet Union.

Strong public support

Finnish President Sauli Niinistö is due to make his personal position public on May 12 regarding Finland's candidacy for NATO, but strong support from public opinion and members of Parliament has already been won.

According to Finnish media, the government's decision could come in the next few days.

On the Swedish side, the government and the parties in Parliament are due to present a security review on May 13 on the question of membership.

Stockholm is consulting with member countries.

Its head of diplomacy Ann Linde went to the United States on Tuesday and is continuing her visit to Canada.

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