Sweden and Finland complete negotiations on NATO membership
BRUSSELS
Finland and Sweden concluded accession negotiations at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Monday.
NATO said in a statement that talks were held between NATO officials and representatives from the two countries, adding that the Finnish delegation was led by Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto and Defense Minister Antti Kaikkonen while the Swedish delegation was led by Foreign Minister Ann Linde.
“Both countries formally reaffirmed their willingness and ability to meet the political, legal and military obligations and commitments of NATO membership,” the statement added.
The Swedish Foreign Ministry said that the talks went well.
In line with the decision taken at the NATO Summit in Madrid, representatives of the 30 NATO member states will sign the Accession Protocols of Sweden and Finland on Tuesday to complete the official procedures.
Protocol of participation must be signed by all members
In the next step, the invited countries will each send a letter of intent to the Secretary General of NATO, declaring that they accept the terms and obligations of NATO membership and include a reform plan if they agree in the negotiations.
Following this, NATO will then draw up Accession Protocols to the Washington Treaty for each invitee. These protocols are signed by NATO countries.
The Protocols must then be ratified by NATO member states in accordance with their national laws and procedures. All Member States, after completing their ratification processes, issue a notification to the United States – hosted by the Treaty – stating that they have accepted the Protocols providing for the accession of each new Member State.
When all these stages are completed, the Secretary General of NATO invites the new members to join the Alliance.
Finally, each new member completes its own national legal process and submits its respective accession documents to the United States and becomes a NATO member.
* Written by Seda Sevencan
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