News item | 05-07-2022 | 16:33
Finland and Sweden have decided to join NATO. This also has to do with the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The Netherlands and other allies want to ensure that Finland and Sweden can join quickly. But how exactly does that accession process work? And what is the role of the Netherlands in this?
End of neutrality Finland and Sweden
The applications for membership from Finland and Sweden brought an end to a long period of neutrality for both countries. Despite the NATO membership of neighboring countries Norway and Denmark, Finland and Sweden remained neutral during the Cold War.
Their accession to the European Union (EU) in 1995 was a first step beyond neutrality. Since the 1990s, Finland and Sweden have also cooperated with NATO as militarily non-aligned countries. With the Russian annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of conflict in eastern Ukraine in 2014, Finland and Sweden further expanded their official cooperation with NATO.
After the invasion of Ukraine, a growing majority in Finland and Sweden supported NATO accession. On May 18, 2022, they submitted their membership applications together to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
Accession of Finland and Sweden: why is this important for the Netherlands?
By collaborating with other countries and making agreements, the Netherlands is stronger in the world. And the Netherlands is safer. Because our security often starts abroad. That is what makes a strong NATO so important, also for us. Enlargement to Finland and Sweden therefore means more stability and security for all allies.
Finland and Sweden have well trained armies that also have good equipment. And they have often practiced together with NATO countries, so working together goes well. This makes them a reinforcement of NATO. Also because of their location: the Baltic Sea and the far north are now much better protected.
The accession process for Finland and Sweden
Following the application for membership, there was an official invitation on behalf of all allies to Finland and Sweden to start talks with NATO. Initially, Turkey expressed its concern about whether Finland and Sweden would join the security forces and blocked the start of these talks. On June 28, Turkey, Finland and Sweden reached an agreement that allowed the accession process to continue.
Accession negotiations
Accession negotiations with Finland and Sweden started on 4 July. The negotiations were concluded that same day. In the negotiations, the precise terms of accession were agreed, and Finland and Sweden pledged to adhere officially to the alliance’s principles and values. They also confirmed their ability to meet NATO’s political, legal and military obligations.
Drafting and signing accession protocols
In a letter to the Secretary General of NATO, Finland and Sweden officially announced that they would comply with all the conditions and obligations of their membership. Subsequently, the accession protocols of both countries were drawn up. They were signed by all allies on 5 July. This was done on behalf of the Netherlands by Marisa Gerards, the permanent representative to NATO (also known as NATO ambassador).
Now that all the signatures have been put in place, the approval procedures will start in every country. Finland and Sweden officially have ‘invitees’ status. They are not yet allowed to vote, but they can join almost all NATO consultations and have access to more information than before. This way the transition to membership can go as smoothly as possible.
Approval procedure in the Netherlands
The cabinet welcomes the accession of Finland and Sweden. That is why the government wants to ensure that the Netherlands gives its approval as soon as possible. To speed up the process, the accession protocols of both candidate members are dealt with in one bill.
Council of Ministers and Council of State
An additional emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers was held on 5 July to initiate the Parliament’s approval procedure. The bill that the government sends to the House of Representatives must be advised by the Council of State. In order to keep the accession process of Finland and Sweden as short as possible, the Council of State issues an urgent advice. The King must also agree. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs prepares the relevant documents and consultations.
First and second room
After the advice has been issued, the House of Representatives and the Senate will consider the bill.
If both Houses agree, the Netherlands can notify the United States government – the administrator (depository) of the North Atlantic Treaty – of the approval. Only when all allies have done so can Finland and Sweden complete the accession process. Both countries are official members when they too have deposited their instruments of accession with the United States.
In short: joining NATO is an extensive process, both at the international level and in the Netherlands. This is important to ensure that every ally supports membership and that countries that join adhere to the agreements.
Safety for Finland and Sweden
The war in Ukraine has also changed the security situation for Finland and Sweden. Only after they have actually acceded does Article 5 of NATO apply. That article states that an attack on 1 ally should be considered an attack on all allies. Finland and Sweden are therefore extra vulnerable to Russian aggression until they join NATO. It is therefore important that the accession period is kept as short as possible.
Like the United States, the United Kingdom and France, for example, the Netherlands has promised in a public statement that it will also assist Finland and Sweden at their request in the meantime. In this way, the Netherlands contributes to the security of Finland and Sweden.