Denmark, Iceland and Norway approve Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO

The leaders of Denmark, Iceland and Norway approved Finland and Sweden’s decision to apply for membership of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“We strongly welcome the decisions of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership,” the three nations said in a joint statement.

“We note that these actions are sovereign national decisions, aligned with the right of these countries to choose their own security arrangements. Finland and Sweden have the right to proceed with their accession process without any attempt at outside interference,” the statement continues.

On Monday, the Swedish government announced its decision to apply for membership of the military bloc, calling the act “the best way to protect Sweden’s security in light of the fundamentally altered security environment following the invasion of Ukraine by Ukraine”. Russia”.

Last week, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said that Finland must apply for membership “without delay” and will complete the necessary steps at the national level “in the next two days”.

The three nations stressed on Monday that Finnish and Swedish security are “a matter of common concern for all of us”.

“If Finland or Sweden are victims of aggression on their territory before they become members of NATO, we will help both countries by any means necessary,” promised Denmark, Iceland and Norway.

The countries added that they would “do their utmost to ensure a swift accession process, as Finland and Sweden already meet the relevant criteria for NATO membership.”

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre said in a separate statement that he will “further develop our Nordic defense cooperation”.