Finland, Sweden Submit Applications to Join NATO

Finland and Sweden on Wednesday (May 18) submitted their official applications to join NATO.

Head of the alliance Jens Stoltenberg received the applications from the ambassadors of Finland and Sweden for their countries’ membership in the alliance in Brussels.

The two countries’ decision to join NATO on Tuesday (May 17) was adopted by the Finnish parliament by a majority of 188 votes to 8 against joining. The Finnish government and President Sauli Niinistö approved the decision.

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde signed on the Swedish request yesterday. The NATO Council will consider first in the membership, then requests must ratify the convection on the membership of the national level in all 30 allied parliaments

Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson had stated earlier that Finland and Sweden decided to walk hand in hand through the entire process of joining the alliance.