NATO exercises. File photoHELSINKI, May 17.The debate on Finland's possible entry into NATO ended in the country's parliament, according to a statement from the legislature.»The debate on the report on Finland's membership in NATO ended. The debate lasted more than 14 hours, 212 speeches were made. At the end of the debate, the issue was referred to the Foreign Affairs Committee,» the parliament said in a statement. On Tuesday, the parliamentary foreign affairs committee will prepare a response proposal to the government's report. It will be followed by a new discussion with possible counter-proposals from deputies. If there are counter proposals, the issue will be put to a vote. After parliamentary discussions, the issue will return to the government, which will make a formal proposal requiring the approval of the country's president. Then Finland's application will be transferred to NATO headquarters in Brussels. It is expected that the Finnish Ambassador to NATO, Klaus Korhonen, will deliver the application. Erdogan denies Finland and Sweden NATO membership
