BRUSSELS
Finland is keeping open its options on joining the NATO military alliance, the country's president, Sauli Niinistö, has said.
Niinistö’s comments on Friday indicated a shift in foreign policy in the traditionally neutral Scandinavian country, which cooperates militarily with NATO, but is not a member.
Niinistö told Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter: "I’m not saying the doors are open, but we are keeping the possibility of applying for membership open."
His comments also came ahead of military exercises expected to be conducted by Finnish and Swedish air forces with their American counterparts in Estonia in spring.
Niinistö said increased tensions in Europe had also spread to the Baltic Sea region.
- Airspace violations
Russia was accused of violating Finnish airspace with its aircraft three times in a week in late August 2014 and twice in May the same year.
Niinistö said: "We have had five Russian airspace violations, three of them in August.
"We reacted diplomatically and since then they have ceased."
Niinistö said latest Finnish opinion polls show 26 percent of Finland’s population is in favor of NATO membership while 43 percent is against.
Finland spends $2.9 million a year on its military budget, according to Dagens Nyheter.
