The ambassadors of the two countries jointly transmitted the necessary documents to the secretary general of the military alliance.
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It’s done: Finland and Sweden have officially submitted their applications for NATO membership, on the morning of Wednesday, May 18. In concrete terms, it was the ambassadors of the two countries who handed over the documents to the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. “This is a historic moment at a critical time for our security”reacted the interested party, wishing “conclude quickly” the membership process.
A historic day.
Today, Finland and Sweden hand in letters expressing their countries’ interest to apply for #NATO membership to SG @jensstoltenberg. ⁰#FinlandNATO pic.twitter.com/5atdSykRmJ
— Finland at NATO (@FinMissionNATO) May 18, 2022
Consultations were underway on Wednesday within the Atlantic Council to try to overcome Turkey’s opposition to the launch of the accession process, AFP learned from a diplomatic source. Ankara can slow it down by refusing to open discussions, the first stage of the procedure.
Turkey can then block by refusing to sign the accession protocols and finally refuse to ratify the accession. The unanimity of the 30 members of the Alliance is imperative. “Everything is possiblesaid a European diplomat. But at NATO we always find solutions. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may want to bring the subject to the NATO summit organized in Madrid on June 29 and 30.