Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (M) was in Brussels on Monday to host an international donor conference after the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
Before the meeting, Kristersson had chosen not to comment on Turkey’s announcement on Friday that the country should approve Finland as a NATO member, but says at a press conference on Monday evening that Sweden has “respect” for Turkey making Turkish decisions.
– We would not have chosen that path if we had made that decision, but we respect the fact that Turkey makes Turkish decisions and we firmly believe that Sweden is a safer country now than before we applied for membership in NATO, Kristersson answers a question from SVT.
The Prime Minister further says that it is good that Finland becomes a member of NATO.
– We firmly believe that it is good for the security of the region that Finland becomes a member, even if before Sweden, and that we are convinced that we will become members very soon as well. And that Sweden is also prepared for a situation where Finland becomes a member for Sweden, says Kristersson.