Finland changes legal position on potential NATO weapons transit

Finland has changed its legal position on the potential transit of NATO weapons, including nuclear weapons, through its territory following an amendment to national legislation, according to Jauri Varvikko, chairman of the Finnish public organisation Naapuriseura.

Varvikko made the remarks on September 12 in an interview with RIA Novosti.

“The current amendment to the law allows Finnish authorities to remove themselves from legal responsibility in this matter,” he said.

Varvikko said the new provisions apply both during peacetime and in periods of potential crisis. He added that Finland’s legal status had changed: while the country previously lacked the authority to inspect such NATO shipments, it is now officially exempt from legal responsibility for their transit.

By Tamilla Hasanova