This information is contained in a note published on the official website of the Presidency of the Republic on the Internet, on the day of Finland's official accession to NATO.

"The President of the Republic congratulated his Finnish counterpart, Sauli Niinistö, on Finland's accession to NATO", reads the note.

For Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, "the extension of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization to Finland, which took place today, April 4, constitutes an important reinforcement of the Atlantic Alliance and a solid strengthening of a structure that has been essential in matters of security and collective defense".

"Portugal, which unreservedly supported, with conviction and determination, Finland's accession to NATO, welcomes this historic enlargement, in the firm certainty that the inclusion of its most recent member will contribute to strengthening the European pillar of defense within of the Atlantic Alliance", adds the head of state.

Finland, a neighbouring country of the Russian Federation, officially joins NATO after more than a year of war in Ukraine that began with the Russian invasion on February 24, 2022. The Atlantic Alliance will now have 31 member countries.

Portugal has been part of NATO since its founding in 1949.