WASHINGTON, May 18, 2022 (AFP) – US President Joe Biden offers “strong support for the historic goals of Finland and Sweden to join NATO,” according to a statement released Wednesday by the White House.
Hours after the two Scandinavian countries officially submitted their applications to join the transatlantic alliance, President Joe Biden welcomed the application. “I welcome and strongly support the historic demands,” said the Minister, adding that he sees the countries as “long-standing unconditional partners”.
“As applications for NATO membership are considered, the United States will work with Finland and Sweden to be vigilant of any threat to our common security and to deter and respond to any threat of aggression or aggression,” he said. said. American.
Biden, who will host Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson and Finnish President Sauli Niinistö at the White House tomorrow, said in the note that he “looks forward to working with the US Congress and our NATO allies to rapidly integrate Finland and Sweden.” The strongest defense alliance in history”
Two European countries submitted their applications for NATO membership on Wednesday, but Turkey, which, like all member states, has veto power in case of enlargement of the alliance, refused to open the membership process.
Turkey accuses the two countries, primarily Sweden, of giving asylum to members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which Ankara deems illegal and describes as a “terrorist” group.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in New York on Wednesday to discuss the issue.
The Foreign Ministry said in a statement, without addressing the debate over Sweden and Finland, that the two met “to reaffirm their strong cooperation as NATO partners and allies”.
Other members of the Atlantic alliance enthusiastically received applications for membership.
White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan argued that the Biden administration “trusts” that Turkey’s concerns will be resolved and that the two Scandinavian countries will join the alliance.
“We feel very good about where this is going,” he stressed.
‘Comfort level’
Meanwhile, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist held a meeting at the Pentagon today with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin where they discussed eventual NATO membership and interim security cooperation.
Spokesman John Kirby stressed that the Pentagon “is willing to have a discussion with them about their safety and security needs.” the ability to ensure its protection and, if necessary, deter Russia”.
As for Turkey, a key US ally, Kirby said they are “still working to clarify” the details of Sweden and Finland’s opposition to joining NATO.
Sweden and Finland, historically neutral, have made a comeback in their positions since the Russian invasion of Ukraine; this affected public opinion in both countries, which in the past were reluctant to join NATO.
source: Noticias
