Finland, Sweden committed to joint NATO accession, prime ministers say

By REUTERS

Published: FEBRUARY 2, 2023 16:27

Updated: FEBRUARY 2, 2023 16:53

THE FLAGS of Finland, NATO and Sweden are seen during a ceremony in Brussels earlier this week to mark the countries’ application for membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. (photo credit: JOHANNA GERON/REUTERS) — THE FLAGS of Finland, NATO and Sweden are seen during a ceremony in Brussels earlier this week to mark the countries’ application for membership into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

(photo credit: JOHANNA GERON/REUTERS)

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country continued to abide by a trilateral agreement on NATO accession signed last year between Sweden, Finland and Turkey.

Finland and Sweden remain committed to joining NATO at the same time despite Turkey's opposition to the Swedish candidacy, the two countries' prime ministers told a joint news conference in Stockholm on Thursday.

Turkey has said it could approve Finland's NATO membership application ahead of Sweden's, but the Finnish president and foreign minister have both rejected this idea, arguing that the security of the two Nordic countries is mutually dependent.

"I don't like this atmosphere, position where Sweden is presented as a sort of trouble child in the classroom. I don't think this is the case," Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin said.

"Sweden also ticks all the boxes that are needed to become a member of NATO," she added.

Ulf Kristersson

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said his country continued to abide by a trilateral agreement on NATO accession signed last year between Sweden, Finland and Turkey.

Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin (credit: VIA REUTERS)

"We embarked on this journey together and we do the journey towards membership together," Kristersson said, referring to the efforts by Sweden and Finland to join the military alliance.