16 minutes agoProtocols signed for accession of Sweden, Finland to NATO
Periskopi(4 years ago)
(4 years ago)All 30 NATO states have signed protocols for the accession of Sweden and Finland, prompting the decision on membership of these two states to be sent to the coalition's top centres for legislative approval. This decision is considered a historic step that has been prompted by Russia's unprovocational war in Ukraine. This is a good day for [...]
This decision is considered a historic step that has been prompted by Russia's unprovocational war in Ukraine.
This is a good day for Finland and Sweden and a good day for NATO”, chief said NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, during a joint conference with the foreign ministers of Sweden and Finland.
“With 32 states in the alliance, we will be even stronger and our people will be even safer as we face the largest security crisis in decades”, he added.
Sweden and Finland's decision to join the military alliance came after the launch of Ukraine's Russian occupation in February and other aggressive steps the Kremlin has taken in the region. Public opinion in these two Nordic states soon supported NATO membership after the occupation began.
Each coalition state has different legislative challenges and procedures that must be passed, and it may take another few months for these two states to officially become NATO members.
“Welcome a quick process of ratification”, said Finland's Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto.
Turkey had originally vetoed two states' membership with Turkey's president, Recep Tayip Erdogan, accused those two states of offering shelter to Kurdish militants operating in Turkey and accused Helsinki and Stockholm of promoting “terrorism”.
After the negotiations, Erdogan said he would give up his opposition, but hinted that it could still block the Finland's membership process of Sweden if these two states fail to fulfil their promises, promises that have not been made public. / REL
