Draghi: We strongly support Finland’s request for NATO membership

The Italian Prime Minister, Mario Draghi, met today with Finland its counterpart, Sana Marin, at the Government House of Rome, the Palazzo Kiji. «Italy strongly supports Finland’s request for NATO membership. It’s about response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine “and the threat to our security,” Draghi said. He added that every effort should be made to speed up Finland’s accession to the Atlantic Alliance and that “Italy will support both Sweden and Finland during this transitional period.”

For its part, the Prime Minister of Finland stressed that its country has provided humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine and is ready to supportan EU package to reduce Moscow’s energy revenues.

“THE Russia wants to restrict the freedom of other states and our country wants to protect its own freedom, as well as that of the whole of Europe. For That is why our parliament, almost unanimously, voted in favor of our request to join NATO.. Our membership in NATO strengthens our Alliance and our security. “Together with Sweden we will contribute to security in the Baltic and in the whole of Northern Europe,” she added. “Our army is strong and modern, we are grateful to Italy for its support,” said Sana Marin.

Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi, as reported by APE-MPE, again advocated a common European defense, in favor of the adoption of new European support measures to address energy costs, while emphasizing that there should be a overall plan for the reconstruction of Ukraine. As for Russia’s decision to expel 24 Italian diplomats today, he stressed that “it is clearly a hostile act, but communication, through diplomacy, must not stop.”

The Finnish Prime Minister, finally, stated that the main priority, at this stage, is the ratification as soon as possible of her country’s accession to the Atlantic Alliance.