Finland to keep NATO option open

Jan 23, 2009, 11:54 GMT

Helsinki - Finland was to keep the option of applying for NATO membership open, the government said Friday.

NATO was 'the most important military security cooperation organization,' the government said in its security and defence policy 2009 report.

As a NATO member, Finland would be able to take full part in decision-making but would also need to expect 'increasing political expectations on the grounds of general burden sharing and solidarity.'

Any moves to apply for NATO membership hinged on 'broad political consensus' as well as public support, the report said.

The report adopted by President Tarja Halonen and a cabinet committee was to be debated this spring.

Other points included that Finnish defence spending needs to increase in the coming years.

Neighbouring Russia was 'the most important factor in Finland's security environment,' the report said, noting aims to increase trade, tourism and investments while countering threats like crime or pollution from increased maritime transports.

Membership in the European Union was also key for Finland.

The report highlighted non-military security threats, for instance due to climate change or pandemics like avian flu.

'Access to energy and natural resources or a food crisis may also turn into serious security threats,' the report said.

A survey conducted last year after the August conflict between Russia and Georgia suggested 57 per cent of Finns opposed joining NATO, 23 per cent were in favour while the remaining 20 per cent were undecided.

Finland cooperates with NATO within the Partnership for Peace (PFP) framework.