Norway, Denmark and Iceland provide security guarantees to Sweden and Finland – Our Country
This is what Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre (Labor Party) says in a press release on Monday, shortly after Sweden announced that they will apply for NATO membership.
– This is a time difference for Nordic co-operation. This insurance is a clear signal from us. We will do what we can to ensure a quick process, so that Norway can ratify Sweden and Finland as NATO members very quickly, says Støre.
Both Finland and Sweden already meet the criteria for joining the defense alliance, according to the government. A Finnish and Swedish NATO membership will contribute to a collective defense and strengthen North Atlantic security, Støre believes.
– We will further strengthen our Nordic defense co-operation. Our military forces work well together and have trained together for many years. We greatly appreciate the significant contributions that Finland and Sweden have already made as partner countries in NATO, says Støre.
He says Norway, Denmark and Iceland fully support Finland and Sweden when they now apply for NATO membership.