Stoltenberg: Finland to be warmly welcomed to NATO if applies for membership

Finland is one of NATO’s closest partners, a mature democracy, and it will be warmly welcomed to NATO, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday as Finland has plans to apply for membership to the alliance.

 

Stoltenberg suggested that the accession process “will be smooth and fast.”

 

Finland’s president and pm have called for the country to apply for NATO membership “without delay”.

 

Sauli Niinisto and Sanna Marin have said in a joint statement they expected a decision in the coming days.

 

The move comes amid a surge in public support for membership to the alliance following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

 

Moscow said Finland’s move was a threat to Russia.