11 minutes agoSweden and Finland in NATO, President Beden reacts
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has stressed “close security and defence co-operation” between the United States, Finland and Sweden in a joint call with the leaders of these countries on 13 May, in which he also encouraged their NATO membership. An announcement from the White House [...]
The President of the United States, Joe Biden, has stressed “close security and defence co-operation” between the United States, Finland and Sweden in a joint call with the leaders of these countries on 13 May, in which he also encouraged their NATO membership.
A report by the White House said that Beden also “reiterated their joint commitment to continue co-ordination in support of Ukraine and Ukrainian people affected by war”.
He spoke with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Saul Ninosto.
The White House and the Pentagon later said they were looking for clarification on possible objections from the ally of NATO, Turkey, towards Finnish and Swedish membership.
Swedish and Finnish governments have presented plans this week to engage their countries to apply for NATO membership as soon as possible, as a result of the threat envisioned by Moscow.
“President Biden underlined his support for NATO's open door policy and the right to Finland and Sweden to decide for themselves their future, foreign policy and security agreements”, the White House announced.
Many alliance members have already expressed support for applications from Sweden and Finland, which have traditionally remained neutral.
But Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan said on May 13th he did not have a positive “opinion” for their membership.
NATO membership requires unanimous support among 30 member states.
Hours after Erdogan's comment, the White House and the Pentagon said that “were working to clarify Turkey's” position regarding Sweden and Finland.
Nothing changes their position on the NATO alliance,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby. “We are working to better clarify [their] ” position.
Finland, which shares a 1,340km border and a turbulent past with Russia, said on 12 May it must apply to join NATO's military alliance “without delay”.
Meanwhile, Sweden's Foreign Minister Ann Linde said Sweden's NATO membership would have a stabilising effect and would benefit all Baltic Sea states. /rel
