The Nordic countries meet all requirements and “will be net contributors to the alliance”, says US President
US President Joe Biden handed over the minutes of Sweden’s and Finland’s accession to NATO to the Senate on Monday, and asked lawmakers to speed up the ratification process.
In a written message to the Senate, the president said that the two Nordic countries meet all the requirements to join the alliance. Sweden and Finland “will be net contributors to the Alliance, both in terms of capacity and resources, and they share critically important values with the United States“, he argued, adding that their membership will help advance Washington’s priorities within NATO.
Biden called on senators to ratify Sweden’s and Finland’s membership offers as soon as possible. “I ask the Senate to continue working with my administration to promote a strong and free Europe by giving its swift advice and consent to the ratification of the Protocols.,” he wrote. “We encourage all allies to act swiftly even in their own ratification processes, given current global considerations. “
In mid-May, Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO in the midst of the Ukraine conflict, thus breaking with decades-long traditions of neutrality. While most members welcomed the bids, they were stoned by Turkey, where President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Sweden and Finland of promoting terrorism and supporting Kurdish militants.
Ankara later withdrew its objections after Sweden and Finland promised to respond to Turkey’s extradition requests, remove export controls and end support for groups that Ankara sees as terrorists.
In early July, NATO members signed the Ascension Protocol, to be ratified by legislators from all nations of the Alliance.
Source: sn.dk