Finland, Sweden to start NATO application in May: Reports
Helsinki:
Finland and Sweden will jointly express their desire to join NATO in May, the tabloid newspapers Iltalehti in Finland and Expressen in Sweden reported on Monday, citing sources close to the matter.
Despite closer cooperation with the military alliance since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014, the Nordic countries had both chosen to stay out. But Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is called a “special operation”, has forced Sweden and Finland to investigate whether their long-standing military neutrality is still the best way to ensure national security.
According to Iltalehti, the leaders of Finland and Sweden plan to meet the week of May 16 and after that publicly announce their plans to apply to join the alliance.
Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto declined to comment, but reiterated his long-standing view that he would prefer Finland and Sweden to make similar choices.
The Swedish daily Aftonbladet reported separately, citing sources close to Swedish government offices, that the United States and Britain had promised Sweden an increased military presence, more in-depth military exercises and “strong political” support from NATO countries “during a possible NATO application process.
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to comment on Expressen’s and Aftonbladet’s reports.
Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said two weeks ago, when she visited her Swedish counterpart Magdalena Andersson, that she expected Finland to make its decision to apply for NATO membership within a few weeks.
Stockholm is conducting a review of security policy, which includes a view on a possible NATO membership, with the results in mid-May.
Separately, Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats are also reviewing their long-standing objection to NATO membership. It is expected no later than May 24.
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