According to Stoltenberg, it is clear that NATO would react if aggression were directed at Finland or Sweden. He appeals to Turkey and Hungary so that they accept the countries’ membership applications.
25.11. 15:55•Updated 25.11. 16:58
BRUSSELS The Secretary General of NATO tells that he is working to ensure that Finland’s and Sweden’s membership applications are accepted as quickly as possible.
The parliaments of Turkey and Hungary have so far not approved the membership of Finland and Sweden. Prime minister Viktor Orbán said yesterday that the decision of the Hungarian Parliament will be postponed until next year.
Stoltenberg appeals to Hungary and Turkey to ratify the applications as quickly as possible.
– All NATO countries, including Turkey, made a historic decision in June when Sweden and Finland were invited to become NATO members. All countries also signed the accession protocols of Sweden and Finland, Stoltenberg tells .
Progress has been made
The Secretary General hopes that the ratifications will progress towards the end of next year. According to him, important progress has been made in the matter.
– Hungary has said it will do it next year. Turkey has not given a date. But I have spoken with President Erdoğan and the Turkish authorities, and they have expressed that things are going in the right direction.
Stoltenberg’s message is that Sweden and Finland have acted in accordance with the memorandum of understanding agreed with Turkey.
– The time is ripe for ratification. I am working to make this happen as quickly as possible.
Stoltenberg emphasizes that Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO processes have progressed at a historically fast pace, despite the fact that the final approval of Hungary and Turkey has to be waited for.
– We have hardly ever seen such a fast membership process.
NATO reacts if Finland is threatened
The progress of Finland’s and Sweden’s applications was also highlighted at the general information conference held in the morning.
The Secretary General underlined the security-related assurances given by NATO allies such as the United States and Britain.
NATO has also increased its presence in the neighboring regions of Finland and Sweden. This would have an impact if threats were made to Finland or Sweden.
– It is unthinkable that NATO would not react if Finland and Sweden were attacked or other aggressive actions were taken.
Russia’s crimes must be investigated
Anticipating the meeting of foreign ministers to be held next week, Stoltenberg emphasized that support for Ukraine will continue.
– We have to make sure that President Putin does not win in Ukraine.
Stoltenberg also commented on the European Parliament’s decision to declare Russia a state that supports terrorism. According to Stoltenberg, NATO supports the investigation of possible war crimes.
– Hitting civilian targets is a war crime. That is why it is extremely important that things are investigated and that the facts are found out.
NATO foreign ministers will meet in Bucharest on November 29–30. The foreign ministers of Finland and Sweden will participate in the meeting as observer members.