Finland and Sweden officially apply to join NATO

On May 18, 2022 11:05 AM

SANAA, May 18 (YPA) – Finland and Sweden formally applied to join the NATO alliance on Wednesday, news agencies reported.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Wednesday that Finland and Sweden have formally applied to join the world’s biggest military alliance, a move driven by security concerns over Russia’s war in Ukraine.

The decision to join yesterday ( Tuesday ( May 17th) was adopted by the Finnish Parliament by a vote of 188 to 8 against. It has been approved by the Government and the President President Sauli Niinisto.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde signed her country’s application for NATO membership, according to local media on Tuesday.

While the NATO Council will first consider membership applications, after which the national membership agreement must be ratified in all 30 NATO countries.

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Anderson had earlier said that Sweden and Finland had decided to “walk hand in hand throughout the entire accession process.

E.M