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Added on the 04/05/2022 18:30:16 - Copyright : AFP EN
The process to ratify Sweden and Finland as the newest members of NATO was formally launched on Tuesday, the military alliance's chief Jens Stoltenberg said, marking a historic step brought on by Russia's war in Ukraine. "This is a good day for Finland and Sweden and a good day for NATO," Stoltenberg told reporters in a joint press statement with the Swedish and Finnish foreign ministers.
A new "memorandum of understanding" between the three countries seeks to allay Turkish fears over security.
During a press conference in Madrid, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg declares that an agreement has been reached that "paves the way for the way for Finland and Sweden to join Nato". He declares that "Turkey Finland Sweden have signed a memorandum that addresses Turkey's c concerns including about arms exports and the fight against terrorism." SOUNDBITE
Finland’s Europe minister has told FRANCE 24 her country is appealing to NATO members to "swiftly" accept Finland's application to join the military alliance. Tytti Tuppurainen acknowledged that her country is in a "security grey zone" and asserted that she is confident that opposition from Turkey can be overcome.
Spurred by Russia's war in Ukraine, it represents a seismic shift from long-held neutrality in Finland and Sweden.
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