Press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Pekka Haavisto and the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Sweden, Ann Linde, following the accession talks and signature of the accession protocols of Finland and Sweden, NATO Headquarters, 05 July 2022.

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

Good morning.
Welcome to all of you.

And a special welcome to my friends Minister Haavisto, dear Pekka, and
Minister Linde, dear Ann. It’s great to have you both here, especially on this historic day.

At the Summit last week, Allied leaders agreed to invite Finland and Sweden to join the Alliance.

NATO Ambassadors have just signed the Accession Protocols for Finland and Sweden.

This is an historic day.
For Finland.
For Sweden.
For NATO.
And for Euro-Atlantic security.

Finland and Sweden will make strong and important contributions to our Alliance.
Our forces are interoperable.
They have trained, exercised, and served together for many years.

We share the same values.
And we face the same challenges, in the Baltic Sea, and beyond.

Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine has shattered peace in Europe.
So it is important we all stand together at this dangerous moment in our history.

I commend all Allies for moving so quickly in accepting Finland and Sweden’s applications for membership.

And I want to thank Türkiye, Finland, and Sweden for their constructive approach.

The trilateral agreement they signed at the Madrid Summit made today possible.

I know all three parties are working hard on the implementation and robust follow-through, especially in the fight against terrorism.

I now count on all Allies to ensure the speedy ratification of the Accession, according to their national procedures.

The security of Finland and Sweden is important for our Alliance, including during the ratification process.

Many Allies have already made clear commitments to Finland and Sweden’s security.
And NATO has increased our presence in the region, including with more exercises.

From now on, Finland and Sweden will have the status as “invitees”, and will participate in our discussions.

Today, we have shown once again that NATO’s Door is open.
The enlargement of NATO over several decades has been a great success.
Reinforcing peace, stability, and democracy, across Europe.

It was the free and independent choice of Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
And it is the fundamental right of all nations to choose their own path.

Welcoming Finland and Sweden into the Alliance will make them safer,
NATO stronger,
And all of us more secure.

I look forward to seeing two more flags flying high at NATO.

So with that, I pass the floor to Minister Haavisto, followed by Minister Linde. So please Pekka.

[Foreign Minister of Finland Pekka Haavisto speaks]

Thank you. Minister, Ann.

[Foreign Minister of Sweden Ann Linde speaks]

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