NATO launches ratification process to add Finland and Sweden to the alliance – here’s what happens next
Top row
NATO on Tuesday officially started the ratification process to add Finland and Sweden to the Western Military Alliance, a move that is expected to receive rapid support from Alliance members even if the threat of a last-minute veto from Turkey remains.
Key facts
The start of the ratification process was announced by NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg and it will come just a few days after the nuclear alliance formally invited Finland and Sweden to join.
According to the ratification process, the accession of the Nordic nations to NATO must now be formally approved by the parliaments of the current 30 member states.
Although the proposal has the formal support of all Member States, the ratification process can take several months as it goes through different parliaments and legislative bodies.
Ratification of US membership applications will require more than two-thirds Senate support and is generally expected to pass after more than 80 senators formally expressed their support for the accession of Finland and Sweden in May.
Key background
Last week, during a summit between NATO heads of state, Finland and Sweden were formally invited to join after Turkey signed a pact to suspend its opposition to the tenders. Under a trilateral agreement signed by the three countries last week, Finland and Sweden agreed to support Turkey’s efforts to combat “terrorist” activity by various separatist groups, including the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and its affiliates. If ratified, the accession of the formerly neutral Finland and Sweden to the US-led military alliance would be a historic move that would place NATO right on Russia’s border. In response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, NATO presented plans to strengthen its presence in Europe by increasing the number of contingency troops on the continent to “well over 300,000”. This would represent the largest expansion of NATO’s presence in Europe since the end of the Cold War. Full NATO members have a mutual defense pact, which means that an attack on an ally is considered an attack on all its members.
What to look for
Despite the fact that it has dropped its objection to Sweden’s and Finland’s bids, the threat of a Turkish veto on the application remains. Following the announcement of the agreement last week, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdağ said that Ankara will requests extradition of 33 “terrorists” from the two countries – 12 from Finland and 21 from Sweden. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has also done so warned his country’s parliament can block the accession process if the two nordic nations fail to meet his government’s extradition requirements.
Crucial quote
After announcing the start of the ratification process Stoltenberg told reporters: “This is a good day for Finland and Sweden and a good day for NATO … With 32 nations around the table, we will be even stronger and our people will be even more secure as we face the biggest security crisis in decades.”
Further reading
NATO officially invites Sweden and Finland to join the alliance (Forbes)
NATO promises 300,000 troops in largest defense “review” since the Cold War as Ukraine’s war enters its fourth month (Forbes)