Finland’s parliament votes yes to NATO

HELSINKI, Could 17 (Reuters) - Finland's parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly authorized a proposal to apply for membership of the NATO navy alliance in a historic policy shift prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

President Sauli Niinisto and the government decided formally on Sunday that Finland would apply for membership however the determination was pending parliament's approval.

Of the 200 lawmakers, 188 voted in favour and eight against the appliance, Speaker Matti Vanhanen mentioned.

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International Minister Pekka Haavisto stated the choice was no purpose to celebrate because "there may be conflict in Europe".

"Finland's membership in NATO will not change our primary considering that we are going to all the time search peaceful options and we're a peace-loving nation that may initially search diplomatic options to every battle," he mentioned in the course of the debate.

Opponents to the applying included some lawmakers from the Left Alliance, a part of Finland's five-party coalition, amongst them Markus Mustajarvi who challenged the choice with a counter proposal leading to it being put to the vote.

"Our border would turn into the border between the military alliance and Russia. New tensions wouldn't be a risk solely throughout the utility process however moderately a new and everlasting situation of our international and security coverage," he said.

Early on Tuesday, the overseas affairs committee determined to join the state leadership in proposing to parliament that the Nordic country should apply for membership.

"Having heard a very giant variety of specialists and having received the opinions of 10 (parliamentary) committees, the international affairs committee agrees with the government that Finland ought to apply for membership in NATO. This choice is unanimous," chairman Jussi Halla-aho told reporters.

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Reporting by Anne Kauranen; Enhancing by Robert Birsel and Alison Williams

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