The NATO is ready to welcome it 31st member of the AllianceFinland, stated by the Brussels The NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenbergduring a press conference.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 4, the ceremony of raising the Finnish flag for the first time will take place at the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in Brussels. “It will be a good day for the security of Finland and the Nordic countries and for NATO as a whole,” G. Stoltenberg emphasized. He also pointed out that Finland’s accession process is the fastest in the Alliance’s modern history and that with its accession, NATO’s border with Russia is doubled. Stoltenberg noted that Russian President Putin wanted NATO forces out of Eastern European member states, but instead the answer he’s getting is “a greater NATO presence on the Alliance’s eastern flank.”

Asked by Swedish media if he is disappointed that it was not possible for Sweden to become a NATO member at the same time as Finland, Jens Stoltenberg replied: “I am absolutely sure that Sweden will become a NATO member. It is a priority for NATO and for me, and I will ensure that this happens as soon as possible.”

G. Stoltenberg reminded that the two Scandinavian countries applied for NATO membership last May and in June at the Madrid Summit all the member countries had signed the two countries’ accession protocol. This gave the two Nordic countries a special status, which means that Sweden, even if it is not a full member, can participate in NATO’s military and civilian activities and NATO military structures. At the same time, several NATO countries provide Sweden, bilaterally, with security measures, while the inclusion of Finland strengthens Sweden’s security as well, Stoltenberg emphasized.

“We must not give the impression that Sweden is left alone. Sweden is in NATO and it is inconceivable that there would be any threat without NATO’s response. Much more so with Finland as a full member,” said G. Stoltenberg.

Finally, when asked by the ANADOLU agency where the talks between Turkey and Sweden are, G.G. of NATO responded that Sweden honored its commitments when the tripartite Memorandum was signed with Finland and Turkey at the NATO Summit. “For this reason, in my meetings with Turkish President Erdogan, last autumn and again this year, I made it clear that the time has come for the ratification and completion of Sweden’s accession as well. This is my position.” Regarding the issues raised by Turkey in relation to Sweden, G. Stoltenberg emphasized that the best way is to deal with them through dialogue and meetings, which have already started at NATO headquarters, and to continue efforts to complete the accession and Sweden “as soon as possible”. He admitted, however, that “yes, Turkey has legitimate security concerns”, while on the other hand he mentioned that Sweden has strengthened anti-terrorism legislation and lifted restrictions on arms exports to Turkey.