Finland and Sweden have officially submitted their applications for NATO membership to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The event was broadcast from the Alliance's headquarters.
"This is a historic day. Today, Finland and Sweden are sending letters to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg expressing their countries' interest in applying for NATO membership," the Finnish mission to NATO said in a statement on Twitter.
"NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is accepting applications from Finland and Sweden. The Norwegian says all concerns should be taken into account [Erdogan], but hints at swift start to the process. He calls it a “historic moment” and opportunity that needs to be seized,” - in particular Matthias Kolb of the Süddeutsche Zeitung wroted.
Applications for membership will first be considered by the NATO Council, after which the membership agreement must be ratified at the national level in all 30 Allies.
Finland and Sweden are seeking to join NATO after russia's attack on Ukraine raised new security concerns in the region. Read more in the material LB.ua "Finland went to NATO. Then - Sweden. How putin struck at russia's security."
For @nato Secretary General @jensstoltenberg receives the applications by #Finland and #Sweden. The Norwegian says that all concerns must be considered (#Erdogan) but hints at swift start of process. He calls it a “historic moment” and opportunity that needs to be seized #nato32 pic.twitter.com/TSJeYfbVVr
— Matthias Kolb (@matikolb) May 18, 2022