Finland joins NATO: Foreign Minister Haavisto hands over instrument on country's accession to US 

Yle reported the information.

"Finland has officially become the 31st member of the NATO military alliance. The security guarantees come into force immediately," the post says.

Earlier, the instrument on the country's accession to the Alliance was signed by Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto, Yle reports.

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki was one of the first to announce this.

Today, April 4, NATO celebrates the 74th anniversary of the creation of the Alliance. Finland also joins NATO on this day. From now on, NATO includes 31 countries.

"Finland is now in NATO. Congratulations! ... Strong partners provide a guarantee of security for Poland, our region and the whole world," he wrote.

The official ceremony of Finland joining NATO will take place on April 4 at 15:35. However, Western politicians have already begun to congratulate the country on its accession.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg congratulated Finland on this step. He also expressed hope for the quick entry of Sweden.

He said this in Brussels before the start of the meeting of foreign ministers of the Alliance countries, Ukrinform reports. He called it a “historic day”, and emphasized that this will make Finland more secure and NATO stronger. Also he reminded that on this same day in 1949, the Washington Treaty, NATO's foundational treaty, was signed, so it's hard to imagine a better way in order to mark NATO anniversary than to welcome Finland.

The Prime Minister of Belgium, Alexander de Croo, joined in the greetings.

"With Finland joining on this NATO day, our Alliance will be stronger and Europe safer," he wrote.

Canada also congratulated Finland on joining the Alliance: "Today NATO turns 74!  And we can't think of a better way to celebrate than by welcoming Finland as our 31st Ally."

Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra wrote that he "looks forward to welcoming our Finnish friends to the transatlantic Alliance today."

Reference: NATO is an international intergovernmental organization founded on April 4, 1949 in Washington. It includes 31 countries. NATO's role is to ensure the freedom and security of its member countries through political and military means.