NORFOLK, VA – “It is truly a great moment to finally see the Finnish national flag next to the Alliance Member Nations’ flags, as well as next to the NATO flag,” shared Finnish Captain Veli-Petteri Valkamo, Allied Command Transformation’s newest National Liaison Representative. Welcoming ceremonies are underway around the Alliance, as Finland joins NATO as the newest member of the Alliance. NATO remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and defend the freedom and democracy of over one billion citizens.
“On this very day, in 1949, the Washington Treaty, NATO’s founding treaty, was signed in Washington and it is hard to imagine a better way of celebrating our anniversary than to have Finland becoming a full member of the Alliance,” said Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Finland officially joins the Alliance as the 31st member nation. Finland completes the final ratification process, now focusing on integration and interoperability in support of the Military Instrument of Power.
Finland’s accession to NATO will strengthen the security of the Baltic Sea region as well as all of NATO. Today is also the 74th anniversary of NATO, with the signing of its founding Washington Treaty on April 4th, 1949. Known as NATO Day, this anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the enduring importance of the transatlantic bond, as the Alliance continues to support and defend member nations and partners. In Norfolk, Virginia, NATO’s home in North America, NATO’s Allied Command Transformation raised the Finnish flag, honouring the successful accession of the Alliance’s newest member.
“Finland is now a member of NATO, and we hope that Sweden will join soon. Their membership will make the Alliance safer and stronger. We, at Allied Command Transformation, are proud of this legacy and our part in it…we help define NATO’s future operating environment by anticipating new security challenges, designing future capabilities, and educating talents,” shared Supreme Allied Commander Transformation General Philippe Lavigne.
Finland has had formal relations with NATO since 1994, when it joined the Partnership for Peace programme. It was later designated a NATO Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2014, and has maintained strong military working relations with NATO member nations and allies, including numerous bilateral and multilateral military treaties. Captain Valkamo further expressed: “In connection to the Accession, and these flag raising ceremonies, today we are also formally opening our new National Representative´s office here in Allied Command Transformation. We are ready and eager to receive further Finnish manning here in both NATO Commands in Norfolk in the future, in order to further contribute to the Alliance!”
