Finland’s parliament votes yes to NATO

HELSINKI, May 17 (Reuters) - Finland's parliament on Tuesday overwhelmingly approved 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 federal government determined officially on Sunday that Finland would apply for membership however the choice was pending parliament's approval.

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

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Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto stated the choice was no cause to rejoice because "there is conflict in Europe".

"Finland's membership in NATO is not going to change our fundamental considering that we'll all the time search peaceable options and we're a peace-loving nation that may at the start search diplomatic options to every battle," he mentioned throughout 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 develop into the border between the military alliance and Russia. New tensions would not be a danger solely throughout the utility course of but slightly a brand new and permanent situation of our foreign and safety coverage," he stated.

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

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

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

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