The application letters were conveyed at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters.
BRUSSELS—Finland and Sweden submitted their applications for NATO membership at the same time on Wednesday.
“Thank you so much for handing over the applications for Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO, said Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general to NATO, in a press conference in Brussels.
The letters were conveyed, at the alliance’s Brussels headquarters, by Klaus Korhonen, the Finnish ambassador to NATO, and respectively, the Swedish Ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff.
Secretary General Stoltenberg warmly welcomed the requests, saying ”this is a good day, at a critical moment for our security.”
“Every nation has the right to choose its own path,” he continued. “You have both made your choice, after thorough democratic processes. And I warmly welcome the requests by Finland and Sweden to join NATO. You are our closest partners.”
Stoltenberg added that Finland’s and Sweden’s membership “would increase our shared security.”
Allies will now consider the next steps on Finland’s and Sweden’s path to NATO.
“The security interests of all allies have to be taken into account. And we are determined to work through all issues and reach rapid conclusions,” Stoltenberg said.
On Tuesday, Finnish Parliament voted 188–8 in favor of joining NATO.
