(NSI News Source Info) HELSINKI - January 30, 2009: Finland remains 
open to the possibility of joining NATO, according to the Finnish government's latest Security and Defense Policy Report (SDPR).
NATO's military and security objectives mirror Finland's concerns and tasks in parallel areas, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said in a press conference.
Military observers say NATO membership for Finland may happen as soon as 2011. However, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said it is "highly unlikely" that Finland would join NATO before 2011.
"NATO continues to be a future option for Finland, but before that we should take actions to strengthen crossborder defense cooperation in the Nordic countries," Stubb said.
The SDPR noted that "a broad political consensus" was essential before any formal decision could be made on NATO membership.
"NATO's objectives, tasks and obligations correspond with the foreign and security policy goals of Finland and the European Union," Vanhanen said. "There is and will continue to be a strong case to consider Finland's membership of NATO in the future. Finland regards NATO as the most important military security cooperation organization."
Finland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994, the Planning and Review Process in 1995, and the alliance's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997.
open to the possibility of joining NATO, according to the Finnish government's latest Security and Defense Policy Report (SDPR).
NATO's military and security objectives mirror Finland's concerns and tasks in parallel areas, Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said in a press conference.
Military observers say NATO membership for Finland may happen as soon as 2011. However, Foreign Minister Alexander Stubb said it is "highly unlikely" that Finland would join NATO before 2011.
"NATO continues to be a future option for Finland, but before that we should take actions to strengthen crossborder defense cooperation in the Nordic countries," Stubb said.
The SDPR noted that "a broad political consensus" was essential before any formal decision could be made on NATO membership.
"NATO's objectives, tasks and obligations correspond with the foreign and security policy goals of Finland and the European Union," Vanhanen said. "There is and will continue to be a strong case to consider Finland's membership of NATO in the future. Finland regards NATO as the most important military security cooperation organization."
Finland joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program in 1994, the Planning and Review Process in 1995, and the alliance's Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council in 1997.
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