Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said that it is unnecessary for Finland to join NATO, Finnish media reported Wednesday.

In an interview with local newspapers, Vanhanen noted that the security situation around Finland is improving constantly.

Joining NATO would only increase the military burden on Finland, by requiring Finnish troops to go to increasingly dangerous crisis areas, said the prime minister.

He said he also saw no reason to join NATO's rapid action forces, since Finland is already part of the European Union (EU)'s rapid action forces.

"It makes more sense to develop international cooperation with UN and EU-mandated operations," he added.

Source: Xinhua