Finland’s parliament votes yes to NATO

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

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

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

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International Minister Pekka Haavisto stated the choice was no motive to rejoice because "there may be warfare in Europe".

"Finland's membership in NATO will not change our fundamental considering that we will at all times seek peaceful options and we're a peace-loving nation that may before everything search diplomatic options to each conflict," he stated through the debate.

Opponents to the application included some lawmakers from the Left Alliance, part of Finland's five-party coalition, amongst them Markus Mustajarvi who challenged the decision with a counter proposal leading to it being put to the vote.

"Our border would change into the border between the military alliance and Russia. New tensions wouldn't be a threat solely during the utility process but rather a brand new and everlasting situation of our overseas and safety coverage," he stated.

Early on Tuesday, the international affairs committee determined to join the state management in proposing to parliament that the Nordic country should apply for membership.

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

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

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