Today: Friday, 19 April 2024 year

NATO countries officially invited Sweden and Finland to the alliance

NATO countries officially invited Sweden and Finland to the alliance

NATO leaders on Wednesday made a formal decision to invite Sweden and Finland to become members of the North Atlantic Alliance, according to a circulated declaration following the first meeting.

“Today we have decided to invite Sweden and Finland to become members of NATO,” the document says.


NATO members also agreed to sign on Wednesday an appropriate accession protocol. Now the entry of newcomers into the alliance will have to be ratified by the parliaments of 30 current members of the North Atlantic Alliance.

“The accession of Finland and Sweden will strengthen their security, make NATO stronger … The security of Finland and Sweden is of great direct importance for the alliance, including during the accession process,” the document says.


On Tuesday in Madrid, Turkey, Sweden and Finland signed a security memorandum that takes into account all Ankara’s concerns. Turkey, in turn, withdrew its objections to the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO.