Sweden and Finland met with NATO officials for accession negotiations. They discussed whether the two countries meet NATO’s political, legal and military requirements and whether they can fulfill the economic, military, legal, political and intelligence obligations of NATO membership.
Following the invitation of Sweden and Finland to join NATO, representatives of the two countries met with NATO officials for accession negotiations. In a written statement released by NATO, it was announced that delegations headed by Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto met with NATO officials at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
“Both countries formally confirmed their willingness and ability to fulfill the political, legal and military obligations and commitments of NATO membership,” the statement said.
“CONTRIBUTING TO THE SECURITY OF ALL ALLIES”
In a statement released by the Swedish Foreign Ministry, it was reported that the talks were very positive.
“We emphasized that Sweden fulfills all the requirements as a NATO member. As a NATO member, Sweden will contribute to NATO’s overall capabilities and the security of all its allies,” the statement said.
In line with the decision taken at NATO’s Madrid Summit, representatives of 30 NATO member states will sign the accession protocols of Sweden and Finland tomorrow to complete the official procedures.
PROTOCOLS OF ACCESSION TO BE SIGNED BY ALL MEMBERS
In the next step, the invited country sends a letter of intent to the Secretary General of NATO, in which it declares its acceptance of the terms and obligations of NATO membership and, if agreed in negotiations, a reform plan.
NATO then prepares accession protocols supplementary to the Washington Treaty. These protocols are signed by NATO countries.
The protocols must then be ratified by NATO member states in accordance with their national laws and procedures. Once all member states have completed their ratification processes, they notify the United States, the custodian of the Washington Treaty, of their acceptance of the protocols for the accession of the new member.
Once all the steps are completed, the NATO Secretary General invites the new member to join the alliance.
Finally, the new member completes its national legal process and submits its instrument of accession to the United States, completing the accession process.
