Brussels: nato General Secretary Jens Stoltenberg said on Wednesday Finland, Sweden has officially applied to join the world’s largest military alliance, a move prompted by security concerns over Russia’s war Ukraine,
“I warmly welcome the requests of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partner,” Stoltenberg told reporters after receiving their applications from the ambassadors of the two Nordic countries.
The application must now be weighed by the 30 member states. That process is expected to take about two weeks, although Turkey’s President Risp Tayip Erdogan Finland and Sweden have objected to joining.
If his objections are addressed, and accession talks go as well as expected, the two could become members within a few months. This process usually takes eight to 12 months, but NATO wants to move quickly, given the threat looming over the Nordic countries from Russia.
Canada, for example, says it expects to ratify its accession protocol in a few days.
Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted largely in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.
Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest allies. They have functioning democracies, well-funded armed forces and contribute to coalition military operations and aerial policing.
Any obstacle they face would be merely technical or possibly political in nature.
“I warmly welcome the requests of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partner,” Stoltenberg told reporters after receiving their applications from the ambassadors of the two Nordic countries.
The application must now be weighed by the 30 member states. That process is expected to take about two weeks, although Turkey’s President Risp Tayip Erdogan Finland and Sweden have objected to joining.
If his objections are addressed, and accession talks go as well as expected, the two could become members within a few months. This process usually takes eight to 12 months, but NATO wants to move quickly, given the threat looming over the Nordic countries from Russia.
Canada, for example, says it expects to ratify its accession protocol in a few days.
Public opinion in Finland and Sweden has shifted largely in favor of membership since Russia invaded Ukraine on 24 February.
Finland and Sweden are NATO’s closest allies. They have functioning democracies, well-funded armed forces and contribute to coalition military operations and aerial policing.
Any obstacle they face would be merely technical or possibly political in nature.