Stoltenberg: With 32 nations we will be even stronger and our people even safer

LAST UPDATE: 14.25

“With 32 nations around the table, we will be even stronger and our peoples even safer as we face the biggest security crisis in decades,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in his opening remarks before the meeting for the signing of the accession protocols of Finland and Sweden.

This is a historic moment “for Finland, Sweden, NATO and our common security,” he noted, noting that “there were security concerns that needed to be addressed and we did what we always do in NATO. We found common ground.” place”.

Mr. Stoltenberg reported that “last week in Madrid, the leaders of the Alliance agreed to invite Finland and Sweden to become members of the Alliance following the agreement of the memorandum between Turkey, Finland and Sweden. Today, officially we will sign the accession protocols, which marks the beginning of the ratification process.”

“NATO’s door remains open to the European democracies, which are ready and willing to contribute to our common security”, emphasized the Secretary General of the Alliance.

“I want to thank Turkey, Finland and Sweden for their constructive approach. The tripartite agreement they signed at the Madrid Summit made today (the signing of the accession protocols) possible. Now all three sides are working hard to implement especially in the fight against terrorism,” Mr. Stoltenberg noted.

“I am now counting on all allies to assure a swift ratification of accession in accordance with national procedures,” he added.

In addition, the NATO secretary general pointed out that “the security of Finland and Sweden is important to our alliance including during the ongoing ratification process”, noting that many allies are already clearly committed to the security of the two countries and the NATO has increased its presence in the region including additional exercises. Also, answering a question about the Turkey issue, the objections he had expressed about terrorism issues in relation to Finland and Sweden and the extradition of suspects, Jens Stoltenberg noted that “terrorism is a challenge for all NATO allies with different ways”.

He added that the memorandum agreed between Finland, Sweden and Turkey is not a NATO document.

“We welcome the document, we hope it will facilitate the negotiations and therefore we welcome for example the fact that in the text Finland and Sweden agreed to thoroughly discuss Turkey’s requests for pending deportations or extraditions of suspected terrorists,” he stressed.

He reiterated that Turkey is the ally that has suffered the most from terrorist attacks, adding that other NATO members have also suffered from terrorist attacks.

What each of the allies or invitees Finland and Sweden will do will be based on their own legislation and the rule of law in their countries. This is how democracies and NATO allies work,” said Jens Stoltenberg

Finnish Foreign Minister: Strengthening NATO will increase security and stability in Europe

For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland Peeka Haavisto underlined that the progress of the two countries “contributes to the collective security of the alliance”. “I am convinced that Finland will contribute by making NATO even stronger both politically and militarily”, emphasized the Finnish Foreign Minister. At the same time, he said that “strengthening NATO in defense and deterrence will increase security and stability in Europe”.

Swedish Foreign Minister: As a future member of the Alliance, Sweden will contribute to the security of all allies

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Anne Linde, also spoke of a “historic day”.

He added that the signing of the accession protocols will be an important step on the way to membership, while the next stage will be the ratification process in each of the allied countries. Finally, Mrs. Linde pointed out that “as a future member of the Alliance, Sweden will contribute to the security of all allies”.

SOURCE: AMPE