The President of the Republic of Finland decides on Finland’s accession to NATO

Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

Photo: Matti Porre/The Office of the President of the Republic of Finland

On 23 March 2023, President of the Republic of Finland Sauli Niinistö decided on the proposal of the Government on Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by approving Finland’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty.

“I have now confirmed the Finnish NATO membership acts adopted by the Parliament. Finland is ready to join the defence alliance NATO,” President Niinistö said after the presidential session.

The North Atlantic Treaty is NATO’s founding treaty and it defines the principles governing the activities of the Alliance and the obligations of its members.

At the same presidential session, the President of the Republic decided on the signing and ratification of the Agreement on the Status of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, National Representatives and International Staff, also known as the Ottawa Agreement.

The President of the Republic also confirmed the acts bringing into force the North Atlantic Treaty and the Ottawa Agreement and incorporating them into Finnish legislation. The acts will be promulgated by a Government decree once the Treaty and the Agreement enter into force for Finland.