Germany pledges to support Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (centre) with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (left) and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson before entering a special meeting – Photo: REUTERS

Germany had a special cabinet meeting lasting for two days 3 and 4 May at Meseberg castle, in the Gransee region (Germany).

Here, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz wanted to discuss with leaders of ministries as well as Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson on how to respond to Russia related to the crisis in Ukraine, the impact of the crisis in Ukraine. conflict in Ukraine on European security policy as well as the impact of the climate change transition on the German economic model. Leaders of some German economic research institutes also participated in the discussion.

Speaking at a news conference alongside his Finnish and Swedish counterparts, Chancellor Scholz pledged Germany’s support should the two countries apply to join NATO.

According to the German leader, the application to join NATO is to be decided by Finland and Sweden. “But to us, it’s clear that when the two countries decide they want to join the NATO alliance, you can count on our support,” he said.

He affirmed that regardless of NATO membership status or until a decision on admission to the alliance is made, Finland and Sweden can always count on Germany’s support.

Earlier, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also pledged to speed up the admission process once the two countries apply to join NATO.

For his part, Finnish Prime Minister Marin emphasized that the Ukraine issue has completely changed the security situation, and in the face of a changing world situation, Finland must decide whether to join or remain independent from NATO. Ms. Marin also highly appreciated Germany’s leading role in the Ukraine crisis.

It is expected that a decision regarding Finland’s accession to NATO could be made on May 12.

Meanwhile, Swedish Prime Minister Andersson stressed that the new security situation requires closer cooperation between the Baltic states in the European Union (EU) and with their transatlantic partners.

She said the decision on joining NATO would be made in Parliament, but as head of government, she understood the importance of increasing the defense budget and Sweden would also aim to increase its defense budget. spend 2% of gross domestic product (GDP) on the military in the future. According to her, “all options” are open.

It is expected that on May 13, Sweden will publish a basic analysis report on security policy, which may refer to the country’s NATO membership status. A final decision is expected in the next few weeks.

After Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, opinion polls in Sweden and Finland – two countries so far neutral on security policy – show that increased support for the two countries joining NATO.

Many parties in the parliamentary bodies in Stockholm and Helsinki also expressed support for the two countries’ membership in NATO. However, so far, the Prime Ministers of the two Nordic countries have not clearly expressed their views on this issue.