Ambassadors of Finland and Sweden in Portugal meet at “afternoon tea” for NATO membership project
The Ambassador of Finland, Satu Suikkari-Kleven, the Ambassador of Sweden, Helena Pilsas, organize this Thursday, May 19, an “afternoon tea”, which takes place at the Residence of the Ambassador of Finland, in Lisbon.
The purpose of the meeting is to hold an in-depth discussion within the scope of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) candidacy process.
This happens the day after Finland and Sweden applications delivered to NATO, the two countries joining the organization, in what Atlantic Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg classified as a “historic” moment.
“I warmly welcome requests from Finland and Sweden to arrest NATO. You are our closest partners, and NATO membership will enhance our shared security. The candidatures presented today are a historic step”, in a brief ceremony at the Aliança General Quarter, Stoel in Brussels.
The organization’s secretary-general assured that the 30 members of NATO are set to “work on issues such as ‘catching up on a quick combination’, that is, on alternative issues of sweden. and Finland.
On the same day, the Prime Minister, António Costa, highlighted Portugal’s support for the two countries’ candidacies, considering that their entry will contribute to the European bloc and reinforce the Atlantic Alliance’s external border.
“It is with optimism and confidence that we face the candidacy of Finland and Sweden to NATO. An important step towards the consolidation of the European bloc, reinforcing the resistance response and strengthening our external border”, she said, adding that “they can count on Portugal’s support”.
Both Sweden and Finland applied for NATO membership due to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. Public opinion of the two-members of the European Union – which avoids two-members of the European Union – alternated between two-members of the European Union – alternated in the wake of Vladimir Putin’s invasion, ignoring Moscow’s demands that NATO not expand towards Russia.
The Finnish bill was already signed on Tuesday by the Government and by President Sauli Niinisto, and then handed over to NATO at its headquarters in Brussels. Sweden’s request did not require a vote in Parliament and was signed by Foreign Minister Ann Linde on the same day.
Nordic countries are also working to resolve Turkish opposition to their plans, after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signaled on Monday that he will not allow them to join NATO due to their respective positions on Kurdish militants.