The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today made the following statement on Finland’s and Sweden’s application to join NATO’s alliance:

“Canada strongly supports the decisions of Finland and Sweden to continue their membership of NATO. As a close friend and security partner, Canada will support Finland and Sweden through the accession process, including against threats to their security.

“Canada will continue to support the principles that have kept countries on both sides of the Atlantic safe, free and prosperous for over 70 years.

Finland and Sweden are the Alliance’s closest and most active security and defense partners. They share the Alliance’s commitment to maintaining the rules-based international system and are committed to the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their military is highly qualified and capable, and we have full confidence in the ability of both countries to integrate quickly into NATO.

“Canada has long been a proponent of NATO’s open door policy for all European countries that are able to promote membership commitments and obligations and contribute to security in the North Atlantic area. It is the sovereign right of Finland and Sweden to choose their own security arrangements and we “We wholeheartedly endorse their application without reservation. We emphasize that NATO is a defensive alliance and does not seek confrontation, nor does it pose a threat to any country.”