sounds like the MOD is interested in joining ...
The Finnish Ministry of Defence has published a report on the possible costs involved in any future membership of NATO, despite objections from Finland’s Foreign Ministry. The report estimates that membership would cost Finland about EUR70 million ($85.3 million) per year, which would comprise a EUR35 million contribution to the annual NATO budget, EUR10 million in maintaining 80-100 offices at various NATO headquarters and EUR25 million for required investments in materiel. The report did not address the controversial question of whether Finland should join the alliance.
Markus Lyra, head of the Foreign Ministry’s department of political affairs, responded to the report’s publication, saying that its drafting should come under the remit of his ministry as it dealt with Finland’s relations with an international organisation. "The report does not concern defence arrangements alone," he said, "but also raises political and financial matters of a constitutional nature." Defence Minister Seppo KÀÀriÀinen noted that the cost estimates seemed rather low and that the report would undergo critical examination in parliament. He distanced himself from the controversy by claiming that it was his predecessor, Jan-Erik Enestam, who had initiated it. Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja said that the report did not qualify as a tool that could be used to draw conclusions on Finland’s policy towards NATO. |