Finland’s application to join NATO will be “for the protection” of its population, says Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin.

Marin told a joint press conference in Tokyo with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that she had discussed Finland’s “plans to perhaps apply for NATO membership” with her Japanese counterpart.

Marin said, “If Finland makes this historical step, it is for the security of our own citizens. Joining NATO would strengthen the whole international community that stands for our common values.”

Finland’s Parliamentary Defense Committee advised the Finnish Foreign Affairs Committee that it supports seeking for NATO membership.

It stated that joining NATO would be the greatest option for Finland’s security.

Tytti Tuppurainen, Finland’s Minister for European Affairs, told that the country is “very likely” to apply for NATO membership.

“The ratification process would be as brief as feasible,” she hopes.