Ceremony to mark 🇫🇮 Finland's accession to NATO, 04 APR 2023

Finland became NATO’s newest member today (4 April 2023), upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States at NATO Headquarters in Brussels. NATO Allies signed Finland’s Accession Protocol on 5 July 2022, after which all 30 national parliaments voted to ratify the country’s membership.
“We welcome Finland to the Alliance!,” said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto deposited Finland’s instrument of accession with the government of the United States, represented by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Secretary General then welcomed Finnish President Sauli Niinistö to NATO Headquarters for a flag-raising ceremony to mark the country’s accession to the Alliance.
Speaking ahead of the ceremony, the Secretary General thanked President Niinistö for his outstanding leadership and for leading Finland into the most successful Alliance in history. “I am deeply proud to welcome Finland as a full-fledged member of our Alliance and I look forward to also welcoming Sweden as soon as possible,” he said. “Joining NATO is good for Finland, it is good for Nordic security and it is good for NATO as a whole,” he added. The Secretary General also noted that Finland’s accession shows the world that President Putin failed to “slam NATO’s door shut.” “Instead of less NATO, he has achieved the opposite; more NATO and our door remains firmly open,” he said.
The Finnish national anthem and the NATO hymn were played, as Finland’s flag was raised outside NATO Headquarters for the first time, in the presence of President Niinistö, Foreign Minister Haavisto, Defence Minister Kaikkonen, the foreign ministers of all NATO Allies and invitee Sweden. Simultaneous flag-raising ceremonies took place at Allied Command Operations (SHAPE) in Mons (Belgium) and Allied Command Transformation in Norfolk, Virginia (United States). Standing alongside President Niinistö, the Secretary General said: “Finland is safer and NATO is stronger with Finland as an Ally. Your forces are substantial and highly capable, your resilience is second to none and for many years troops from Finland and NATO countries have worked side-by-side as partners. From today, we stand together as Allies."
🗣 | NATO Secretary General:
President Niinistö, dear Sauli,
Ministers,
Ladies and gentlemen.
This is an historic day.
We welcome Finland as the newest member of our Alliance.
We will raise the Finnish flag for the first time here at the NATO Headquarters.
Thirty-one flags flying together as a symbol of our unity and solidarity.
On this day - on the 4th of April 1949 - the Washington Treaty was signed, “To create a shield against aggression and the fear of aggression.”
For almost 75 years, this great Alliance has shielded our nations. And it continues to do so today.
But war has returned to Europe. And Finland has decided to join NATO, and be part of the world’s most successful Alliance.
This has been the fastest accession process in NATO’s modern history.
Finland and Sweden applied for membership last May.
In June, at our Summit in Madrid, every Ally invited them to join.
And today, less than a year later, we welcome Finland as a full member of our Alliance.
I look forward also to welcoming Sweden into the Alliance as soon as possible.
Finland is safer and NATO is stronger with Finland as an Ally.
Your forces are substantial and highly capable.
Your resilience is second to none.
And for many years, troops from Finland and NATO countries have worked side-by-side as partners.
From today, we stand together as Allies.
This sends a clear message: That every nation has the right to choose its own path, that NATO’s door remains open, and no one can close it with force or coercion.
NATO is a community united by our values - freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
We stand together, we protect and defend each other. All for one, and one for all.
President Niinistö, dear Sauli, I am glad to be here together with you on this great day.
Thank you for your outstanding leadership, and your tireless work to make this day possible.
I am glad - and I am proud - to be the Secretary General that welcomes Finland fully into the NATO family.
Welcome to the Alliance.
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#NATO #OTAN

[@danLTa1]

Welcome Finland to the strongest military alliance the world has seen 🇺🇲🇫🇮🦅

[@sendhelp9534]

Very nice. If the Russians try something now they are done!

[@lexluthor6497]

Thank you very much.Thinking of our history and what is going on in Ukraine now makes that nato flag look very nice next to our flag.I will have a very very large cold beer this weekend.🍺

[@hitrapperandartistdababy]

🇩🇰🤝🏻🇺🇸🤝🏻🇫🇮

[@nasmja]

I'm Finn and this is very existing to get NATO 🤩

[@Mazufa]

I am very pleased that we finally became part of NATO!! 🙂 NATO gives us Finns an even stronger defense. Finland is my beloved home country where I have been able to live my whole life, I am now 30 years old! 🙂 I hope that we Finns will never have to resort to Article 5 of NATO, I hope that we can live in peace! I wish peace to all NATO member countries, and also to countries outside NATO!!

[@paladin9716]

Welcome Finland! From the USA! 🇺🇸🤝🇫🇮💪💪💪

[@chrisrobichaud9529]

You are right, we must continue to expand NATO! From Canada! 👍

[@KoopaTroopa4]

@@chrisrobichaud9529we absolutely must! From canada as well!

[@kathleenmann7311]

🇫🇮 🇺🇸🙋‍♀️👍

[@MossyMozart]

Welcome from New York State, USA!

[@TheBear710]

@@chrisrobichaud9529 Its not about expanding its about letting any sovereign nation who wants to be apart of NATO has literally every right to join it!

[@bidenator9760]

Congrats to Finland from the US. Time to defend democracy together. 🇫🇮🇺🇲

[@thegunslinger1363]

Congratulations to Finland from Ireland 🇮🇪💙🇫🇮.

[@alexandernico8930]

Ireland should join nato too , incase Russia naval invades us with a massive fleet cause irelands army is one of the weakest in Europe!

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

How about Ireland joining too!! It's past time. If your badass fisherman can stand up to Russia, then Ireland can too!

[@lexluthor6497]

Thanks Ireland have a guiness on us tonight.Finland is happy today

[@mudd8085]

Honestly, please join. I know you have direct communication with your prime minister and parliament, just ask nicely😂 But in all honesty, I love Ireland and wouldn't need an excuse to defend my grandma's homeland and Guinness breweries❤

[@kdexter2690]

Ireland must become NATO allies Greetings from Greece 🇬🇷 Slava Ukraine 🇺🇦

[@Maysti87]

Congratulations to Finland from Finland!

[@ghazan34567]

Congrats to Finland from Poland 🇵🇱❤️🇫🇮

[@jrgenholteng1529]

Finland is a great country , finally a NATO member!!!! Love from Norway ❤️ 🇧🇻

[@FidoHouse]

From Canada 🇨🇦: Congratulations, 🇫🇮 Finland, and Welcome!!

[@nasmja]

From Finland : Thanks I'm really excited of this! ^^

[@chrisrobichaud9529]

Me too from Canada.👍

[@ricardo53100]

Putin invades and brutalises Ukraine and his long term neutral neighbor, Finland, bolts and joins NATO. This is called poetic justice.

[@user-sv2pt5nc6m]

Being finlanland in nato gives more strength to the all8ance!, more help to ukraine!, putin succeeded the exact opposite!,,

[@Fireefly100]

sweden needs to get in

[@seangutierrez1337]

Great news! Sweden’s NATO ascension was finally approved by Hungary! Welcome to the Alliance, Sweden!

[@satou3105]

Hyvää suomi 🇫🇮 ❤❤❤

[@drifzyy]

Tää on tosi hyvä päivä meille suomalaisille

[@alessandrocanale6189]

Welcome to the alliance mate 🇮🇹❤️🇫🇮❤️🇪🇺

[@wintersoldier9923]

​@@drifzyy niin onkin

[@TheRedHood_1]

Congrats to the happiest country on the planet. Welcome to the Alliance!!!🎉

[@lexluthor6497]

Thank you very much.we are even happier today.🙋‍♂️from🇫🇮

[@techpiller2558]

We are a gray-dressing folk that don't feel that happy and gleeful all the time, but perhaps it's just about having less misery. It's steady going and safe. Maybe not exciting enough for many. But reliable. You can definitely fulfill any American dream in Finland also, if you put your mind into it. And with free health care and education. Definitely a good place for any talented engineer to come and join in, lots of interesting tech development here, we like to tinker, and we have Germanic engineering standards, maybe even higher. So, welcome to Finland, I say... And thanks!

[@nevco8774]

@@techpiller2558 That is very nice of you to be so welcoming. Finland definitely has a vibe of its own among Nordic nations and a proper place in European family as well. The universal health care makes sense for all developped nations thus it is available in all of them exept the USA shamefully. That piece of mind of health coverage is a huge portion of feeling of happiness. Unfortunately people in the USA still do not calculate taxes correctly thus from lack of awareness opose that health system erroneously thinking the system is too costly for taxpayers. The latter is a false premise since the health cost in the USA ends up being much higher per capita and brings lots of unhappiness. Congratulations for another portion of piece of mind - security for entire your nation.

[@Enkarashaddam]

So cool to see in my lifetime!

[@rebeccahenderson7761]

Welcome Finland and all of your fantastic people! Much love from Canada. Next Sweden!!

[@mauriciolizarbe4835]

That they will Join NATO this year

[@Fireefly100]

not so sure @@mauriciolizarbe4835

[@CasseroleGasStrike]

Welcome to Finland🇫🇮 from Canada 🇨🇦

[@pfefferle74]

It's kinda cool and awe-inspiring to see so many flags flying next to each other knowing that the message behind it is: "You mess with ONE of us, you have a problem with ALL of us!" And I'm really glad that one of those flags is my country's.

[@RS_Denver]

Welcome Finland 🇫🇮 🇮🇹

[@davidbowie5023]

Finland, Ireland supports you. 🇮🇪🤝🏻🇫🇮

[@richardhussey-cq2se]

Does Ireland want too join NATO?

[@chrisrobichaud9529]

Great! 👍

[@MTMF.london]

Show your support by joining NATO - don't sit on the sidelines.

[@kdexter2690]

Ireland must become NATO allies

[@hiramabiff885]

A moment that should be permanently etched into memory. Prayers for our planet to be free of tyranny.

[@BreloomBanana]

Congrats to Finland from the US!

[@Sergii_Dubeniuk]

Congratulations Finland 🇫🇮! I hope my country Ukraine 🇺🇦 and Moldova 🇲🇩 too join NATO in 2024 year!🇺🇦❤️ NATO 🇺🇸🇬🇧🇪🇺

[@angelosathog3928]

Ukrainians, you are strong as the 31 country combines ,, you step up ,stand up to the most powerful Army in the world but yet you are showing everyone how much numbers not always matters but capability,, and you break the History my friends , but yes I really hope in the future you join into the alliance,, but I believed before that , you will wipe out the Russian army ...

[@lafouche345]

We want you guys in !

[@nevco8774]

I believe the change will come in Georgia as well to enable them to join along Ukraine and Moldova. At the end of day all 3 countries' population have shown strong commitment to join the family of free of dictatorship countries.

[@SphereofCygnus]

We love Ukraine, we definitely want you in! It's just a matter of time, hopefully much sooner than later. Please stay safe, Слава Україні! 🇺🇦🫂🇨🇦

[@MossyMozart]

@Сергій Дубенюк - If it were up to me, from New York State, USA, you would be in already. I hope it is soon!

[@SphereofCygnus]

Congratulations, Finland and kiitos paljon (thank you) for being a part of our alliance. Stronger together! Love from Canada 🇫🇮🤍🇨🇦

[@croatianwarmaster7872]

Good to have you brothers, there were Croatian volunteers in the Winter War 🇭🇷🇫🇮🇪🇺

[@__Aurora__]

Wait, what? My family is partially Croatian, never heard about this. Love to Croatia 🇭🇷 from Sweden 🇸🇪.

[@SphereofCygnus]

​​@@__Aurora__ We can't wait to have you in the alliance! I hear you have an election next month; perhaps that will keep the ball rolling and act as an incentive to Türkiye and Hungary to ratify your accession as quickly as possible. Love to Sweden from Canada! 💪🇸🇪🤍🇨🇦💪

[@SphereofCygnus]

Wow, I didn't know that! 🇨🇦💪🇭🇷

[@norfindir70]

Welcome dear Finnish brothers!

[@bonjourtoi3894]

Je suis si heureux. Bravo et merci à la Finlande. Nous pouvons maintenant espérer pour la Suède, la Géorgie, la Moldavie et la Biélorussie une fois qu'il y aura un nouveau présidant. Ce sont de si beaux pays avec des gens incroyables. Seules ces adhésions sont un gage de paix et de liberté pour tous. Prions pour tous ces pays. Merci à tous nos alliés.

[@wjdbsisbdobd4287]

Do not forget our friends as well in Ukraine!

[@summerrain7466]

Congratulations Finland! from USA. Hoping to welcome Sweden soon! And then Ukraine!! All free peoples standing together - United and Strong!

[@mauriciolizarbe4835]

By this year

[@aimankudin542]

Unfortunately Turkiye is delaying Sweden's entry into Nato. I think it has something to do with the Kurds. (please don't hate me for being wrong)

[@darkvolcano9126]

@@aimankudin542 you forgot hungary

[@MinhLe-ht4hm]

By this year for sure

[@MinhLe-ht4hm]

@@mauriciolizarbe4835 Sweden is a member now

[@CarlosRefacho]

Welcome Finland, We are stronger together.

[@danielcooper7718]

A historic moment during the most hardest times for Europe since WWII, as a full-scale war is raging in Ukraine. NATO welcomes Finland as a new member of the alliance!

[@AI_Surfer]

To Finland, welcome and congratulations from America.

[@bryanj.nevasr.2018]

As a Finnish-American, I'm so proud that Finland is now part of NATO!

[@lauriekleinknechtl1313]

Welcome Finland! 🇨🇦

[@Mrqwerty2109]

I love this. Democracy in action, and Democracies united. Welcome Finland. Love from USA

[@mitchelljohnleslie1696]

Welcome to NATO / OTAN Republic of Finland 🇫🇮 from: The United States 🇺🇸

[@iklil539]

👍👍🇲🇦❤🇫🇮❤🇺🇸👍👍 تحية طيبة لك من المغرب

[@augl2702]

I take an incredible amount of pride in our allies. You are willing to stand shoulder to shoulder with us until the very end. Congratulations and thank you, Finland. Welcome to the alliance.

[@decaesaris5093]

Congrats and welcome Finland 👍

[@shaydailly]

Welcome, Finland! 🇫🇮

[@MV70707]

Welcome home Finland 🇫🇮

[@Refaan]

Congrats Finland 💪🏻

[@michaellong6002]

A great day for Finland and European security.....

[@Eva-mv8ey]

Congrats from Latvia! Our family has just become even stronger.

[@iklil539]

هنيئا للشعب الفنلندي بالإنضمام للحلف العسكري الناتو 👍🇫🇮🇫🇮❤🇲🇦

[@Magyarosivatuvaluk]

Congratulations 🎉😊 Finland 🇫🇮 from Lebanon 🇱🇧 🇱🇧 💕 🇫🇮

[@fanny3942]

Finally Finland part of NATO!!! Praise the Lord!!!🙏🏼 love our NATO LEADERS 💖💖💖 Bravo Finland!!!🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 greetings from California, USA I never heard NATO’s hymn, so beautiful! It sounds so calm and friendly 😊

[@mrbrand4720]

Congrats Finland from Sweden

[@user-cc1iu2cd9x]

Congratulations and Welcome, Finland! 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@glee835]

Wow historic, welcome Finland to NATO, strength together🎉

[@gerogegerog5926]

The fact the flag is beside Estonia

[@quantummotion]

A big warm welcome, and congratulations to Finland on joining NATO from Canada! NATO is stronger with the addition of a solid democratic and level headed country such as Finland. Welcome to the family, and we are proud to have Finland stand shoulder to shoulder with us! Sweden, you belong with us too! It will happen soon, and a great day when it does! Ukraine, you belong with us! NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg - thank you for your tireless efforts in keeping NATO focused, in bringing in Finland, getting Sweden down the path, and most importantly working to give Ukraine a lifeline.

[@MinhLe-ht4hm]

Sweden has joined NATO Next, Ukraine.

[@paulpipek9108]

Congratulations to all Finns, from the Pacific!

[@ax.f-1256]

Tervetuloa Suomi 🇫🇮 Welcome to NATO Finland 🤝🏻 Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@sugarlilydesigns1]

Welcome Finland from your friend 🇫🇮❤🇺🇸

[@enricomagnani7924]

Welcome to the finns, I look forward for the swedes (as well for Irish, Austrians and Maltese)

[@franciscosouzabrasil7356]

Congratulations to Finland, this is a historic day for european security! Wainting for Sweden, Ireland, Bosnia, Austria, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia! Congrats from Brazil!🇧🇷❤🇫🇮🇪🇺🇺🇸🦅

[@BossCoins2]

Congratulations to our Nordic brothers in Finland, we welcome you into our ever growing alliance. Love from the USA. 🇺🇸🤝🇫🇮

[@mihbo2006]

Paljon onnea, Suomi 🇫🇮 ! Kunnia Suomelle 🇫🇮 ja Ukrainalle 🇺🇦!

[@ilttpvvm]

Welcome to our NATO family, Finland!!!

[@alfonsovelasco7005]

Tere tulemast Soome! :)

[@mln371]

Aitäh vennad! Elagu Eesti! Thank you Estonia, our sisters and brothers.

[@seancrawford3061]

Initially I thought the sound of the protesters were sea birds... Welcome Finland you are a valued member and friend.

[@orno6621]

What are they protesting?

[@sami19090]

@@orno6621 I understood it was a pro Ukraine protest, driving for more support

[@pgr3290]

Putin has an uncanny habit of creating the conditions for the exact opposite of the situation he desired.

[@gerstein03]

Yep. Not only that but in the span of a few weeks he managed to justify NATO's continued existence for thirty years after the fall of the Soviet Union

[@penttitapper]

💪🇫🇮

[@richardvelthuis8001]

Welcome to our new ally Finland 🇫🇮 ! Let Sweden 🇸🇪 also join us asap. Regards from the Netherlands 🇳🇱

[@ronaldmontgomery870]

Welcome to the strongest alliance ever 🇺🇸🦅🇫🇮

[@TheCool_Guy23]

Long live the Alliance!

[@sjvv4961]

Hello Finland love from the USA 🇺🇸 🤝🇫🇮💪💪

[@black-uh1df]

Welcome to the Alliance Finland, we're welcome to have ya from the US of A

[@MrKaido93]

Congratulations and Welcome Finland 🇫🇮 to NATO! Tere tulemast NATOsse Soome! Finland 🇫🇮 Estonia 🇪🇪 sibling nations together in the NATO Defensive Alliance! It is awesome that Finland has joined the NATO Defensive Alliance! Finland's membership in the NATO Defensive Alliance will bolster the Stability and Peace in the Baltic North East flank of Europe. Sweden is soon to be the next NATO member!

[@Ateizmfature2030]

Welcome Brother 🇹🇷🇫🇮

[@manojbhattarai9070]

Together Stronger💪

[@Hert420]

This is amazing ❤️

[@JerichoMahesa]

An Award, The Best Endorser/Sales/Marketing Agent to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization goes to ---> Vladimiroveech Pootin! 👍👏👏👏👏👏 Congratulation Finland 🇫🇮 31st member of the strongest military alliance on earth!

[@KZ_EU]

Welcome to NATO Finland!!!! Congrats from Poland!!!

[@PKSRajput25129]

Very nice finland 🇫🇮🇫🇮❤️❤️💪💪

[@tonylyons7711]

Welcome to the great people of Finland. 🙏🙏❤

[@lukasbrucas3027]

Stronger together! 💪🇫🇮🤝🧭💪

[@reneskaaning5751]

Congratulations Finland

[@josha254]

Welcome, Finland! Love from Canada

[@zhukie]

Finland will be a strong, impressive asset to the NATO alliance - Hopefully Sweden eventually too! Congratulations Finland, from Australia 🇦🇺 ❤🇫🇮 ✊

[@jyotimallick4241]

Today joining World happiness country Finland Member of NATO...Thank you very much to all Member country of NATO..

[@markmilan57]

Finland is safer and NATO became stronger. A beautiful day for NATO.

[@lucyebajo8625]

Congrats Finland for joining NATO allies.This is historical for NATO alliance.I hope soon as possible Sweden will be a NATO member too.God bless and protect this alliance always 🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇

[@smokeywilly4364]

👏 Finland will decide what’s right for its future, Russian fear mongering and coercion will not deter their right to pursue safety and security. Well done to their government for quick implementation and well done to the people who voted heavily in favor.

[@Solbm27]

Suomi, you rock. Welcome. Much love from Spain.

[@polishgrlinvegas]

Congratulations, Finland!.🎉

[@edisonbekaj863]

Greetings From Gjakova 🇦🇱🇽🇰

[@ThePigeonCompany15]

Welcome aboard Finland! Shout out from The P Company. 👍

[@davidbyqvist4133]

welcome finland

[@tammyjackson8801]

Welcome Finland 🇫🇮

[@realscience948]

Important day for Finland…no more apprehension or uncertainty!

[@valley6824]

Congratulations from Albania!

[@angeligallipoli4406]

Congrats Finland❤❤

[@danielmazur3203]

This is a great day. Welcome. Your society decided to join in the NATO in view of what we in the Central Europe (or in former-Warsaw-Pact if you like) feared in the 90s and why we ourselves joined. I am really happy to see this happen, because I know we share values, as much as a common defense alliance now. P.S. On the ice, the hockey battles will rage as ever, however, promise! Cordially from the Czech Republic.

[@lhamonamdol6893]

🇫🇮🇫🇮🇫🇮👏👏👏

[@deletedchannel4]

Welcome, my Finnish friends. 🇮🇹🤝🇫🇮

[@dariops2777]

🇪🇦🤝🇫🇮

[@zora708]

Welcome Finland to NATO🇫🇮❤️🇫🇮

[@sugarlilydesigns1]

A great day indeed !!!!!

[@sumafzal7873]

Good move welcome to the rightful institutions

[@hunt_club_1]

Welcome to the Alliance - Finland - Defender of Freedom

[@jackdouglas254]

I love the Finns. Now we need to get Sweden into NATO.

[@user-ts7gw3ic8t]

Finally, Sweden joined NATO!!

[@grannyappleseed]

The background sound is distracting. Congratulations Finland 🇫🇮 ❤

[@101stairborne6]

They could of invited the former president of Finland also, she’s the one that made application to NATO in the first place. Congratulations to the new president of Finland for his election win. Welcome to NATO!