Stoltenberg: NATO enlargement with Finland and Sweden will be of historical significance

Photo EPA-EFE/FRANCISCO SECO / POOL

After the meeting of foreign ministers on NATO in Berlin, the Secretary General of the Alliance J.Ans Stoltenberg He said that if Finland and Sweden decided to join the military alliance, it would be historic and would show that the door to NATO was open and the aggression did not pay off.

Stoltenberg, speaking at a video conference at a joint news conference with German Foreign Minister Annalen Bayerbock because he was infected with the coronavirus, said Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to defeat Ukraine and divide Europe and North America, but they are united and Ukraine can win the war.

Bayerbock said NATO's doors were wide open to Finland and Sweden.

"Sweden, Finland, if you are ready, so are we," Bayerbock said, adding that their entry would strengthen NATO and unite the northern European countries.

Stoltenberg added that important decisions will be made at the upcoming NATO summit in Madrid, in response to the new situation in Europe.

The Allies have promised to provide billions of dollars in aid to Ukraine as well as training, Stoltenberg said.

Asked about Turkey's opposition to Finland and Sweden joining the Alliance, he said it was important to stress that NATO would respect the decisions of Finland and Sweden, but also that Turkey was an important ally.

"I am convinced that we will be able to find a common language," Stoltenberg said.

He added that the NATO enlargement process has been very successful over the years and that Finland and Sweden are the closest NATO allies that are not yet members.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO should react quickly if these two countries decide to join. He said NATO was closely monitoring what Russia was doing and was ready to respond if Moscow attacked any member of the alliance.

Stoltenberg added that the potential membership of Finland and Sweden was "important to NATO" and that the alliance would explore ways to provide security guarantees in the Baltic region.

Finland announced today that it will apply for NATO membership, and Sweden is expected to address the issue later in the day, especially through the common regional market and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans as part of the Berlin Process.

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