Finland’s parliament votes yes to NATO

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

President Sauli Niinisto and the federal government determined officially on Sunday that Finland would apply for membership but the determination was pending parliament's approval.

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

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International Minister Pekka Haavisto mentioned the decision was no reason to have a good time because "there's struggle in Europe".

"Finland's membership in NATO is not going to change our fundamental thinking that we'll always seek peaceful options and we are a peace-loving nation that will first and foremost search diplomatic solutions to every battle," he stated through the debate.

Opponents to the applying included some lawmakers from the Left Alliance, part of Finland's five-party coalition, among them Markus Mustajarvi who challenged the decision with a counter proposal resulting in 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 threat solely throughout the utility process however somewhat a new and everlasting situation of our foreign and security coverage," he stated.

Early on Tuesday, the overseas affairs committee decided to hitch the state leadership in proposing to parliament that the Nordic nation should apply for membership.

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

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

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