He told the rural newspaper Maaseudun Tulevaisuus that he does not believe that the issue of joining the alliance will be taken up during the next legislative term, which runs until 2015.

”The problem with the NATO debate is that opinions date back to the Cold War era,” he said.

Häkämies says that even without NATO membership, Finland could receive military assistance if needed -- as the EU's Lisbon Treaty ensures defence assistance between member states.

Häkämies, a conservative National Coalition Party MP, has served as defence minister since 2007.