Finland closer to NATO

11 January 2022

Finland may become an outright member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation in one year’s time. The aggression of Russia towards Ukraine could be the catalyst of the process.

The new Year’s proclamation of President Sauli Niinisto caused a wave of speculations on the possibility of full integration of Finland with NATO. “There is no room for influence zones in our times” – said the president. “The interest of Finland is to have the possibility to apply for the membership in NATO if we decide on it on our own” he added.

The issue is widely commented on by the Finish media. Main Finish magazines “Helsingin Sanomat” or “Ilta-Sanomat” are consentaneous; possible Russian actions against Ukraine will accelerate the process of integration with the Alliance. There has been an ongoing debate on it in Finland. Formally, the Parliament will decide on the membership. It may happen in spring2023 as the liberal – conservative party (National Coalition, KOK) being a political base of the president. It is a group that openly supports joining the Pact. However, only 1/4 of the Finns is for changing the military status of the country.

The likely aggression of Russia against Ukraine could lead to fast path of integration with NATO. Both countries cooperate with the Alliance and it would be a matter of technical formality. However, it is a big challenge for the Finns. The Finnish border with Ukraine is more than 1000 km So far, both countries have had proper relations but since the Russian aggression against the Crimea in 2014, full membership in NATO has seemed to be a more real option.

NATO is not the only path for integration with Finland. Joining the Adriatic, Black and Baltic Seas through the Three Seas Initiative is very important for Finland and Nordic countries – said the chief of the Finnish diplomacy Pekka Haavisto during the conference with the heads of ministries of foreign affairs of Estonia, Latvia and Poland in the Estonian Tartu.

He reminded that Finland and Estonia are developing a series of projects including infrastructural ones, such as the Balticonnector gas pipe or a plan of construction of the railway tunnel between Helsinki and Tallin, as well as projects concerning digitalisation. The head of Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who is the host of the Three Seas Initiative summit (planned for June in Tallin) admitted that his country is willing to accept a concrete participation of Finland in the Initiative, as well as the exchange of information and ideas with this country.

(source: trimarium.pl)

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03 November 2025

The 6 th edition of the Three Seas Local Government Congress will be held May 27-28, 2026, under the Honorary Patronage of the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. This distinction recognises the growing importance of the event, which has become a key platform for cooperation among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, both in the economic and infrastructural dimensions.

Over five editions of the Congress (2020–2025), more than 5,000 participants from 24 countries have taken part, 104 discussion panels have been held, and 64 foreign delegations have visited Lublin. The scale and international character of the event confirm its increasing role in shaping dialogue across the Three Seas region.

We, the countries representing Central and Eastern Europe (…) through the Three Seas Initiative, Via Baltica, and Via Carpatia, share not only our voice and vision of building a civic community, but also tangible results showing that the Baltic States and the countries of Central and Eastern Europe are capable of implementing major infrastructure projects, emphasised President Karol Nawrocki during his visit to Vilnius last month.

These words perfectly capture the spirit of the Three Seas Congress, which brings together political, academic, and business communities around a shared goal, building a strong, integrated, and cooperative Central and Eastern Europe.

It is also worth noting that in April 2025, Poland hosted the 10th Three Seas Initiative Summit. During the event, participants emphasised the importance of infrastructure and economic cooperation in the region and the need to strengthen cohesion across Central and Eastern Europe. This year, the cooperation format has been expanded to include new members – Albania and Montenegro joined the Three Seas Initiative in the capacity of associated participating states, while Spain and Turkey became new strategic partners. It has already been announced that the 11th Summit will take place in Croatia in 2026.

We cordially invite you to take part in the Three Seas Local Government Congress! Registration will open in the end of January. More details will soon be available at www.congress.lubelskie.pl and on our social media channels.