Finland and Sweden’s security is important for NATO: Secretary General Stoltenberg

Europe, News June 15, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a visit to Sweden on June 13 that the North Atlantic Treaty Organization is committed to the security of Sweden and Finland.

Stoltenberg highlighted during a press conference with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson that “Sweden and Finland’s security matters for NATO”.

During his visit to Sweden, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg met with Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, Minister for Foreign Affairs Ann Linde, Defence Minister Peter Hulqvist, and members of the Swedish government.

According to the NATO statement, they “discussed the fundamentally changed security environment resulting from Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, and agreed on the need to sustain support to Ukraine.”

“Stoltenberg welcomed the decisions by Sweden and Finland to apply for NATO membership, describing this as a historic step at a critical time for our security,” the statement added.

During his visit, Stoltenberg further stated that Finland and Sweden’s membership of the NATO Alliance would facilitate “closer Nordic and Baltic defence cooperation, strengthen NATO’s presence in the High North, and boost transatlantic security overall.”

*^{NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg with the Swedish Government officials. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

The NATO Secretary General said that he and his staff members are in close contact with all relevant parties “to address Türkiye’s legitimate concerns about the terrorist PKK group”, as well as make progress on both Northern European countries NATO membership applications as soon as possible.

Stoltenberg also welcomed the Swedish government’s readiness to address Türkiye’s concerns, pointing to changes to Sweden’s legislative framework on counter-terrorism, as well as to ensure that Sweden’s “legal framework for arms export will reflect their future status as NATO members, with new commitments to Allies”.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg recalled that since its application, “Sweden has received security assurances from many NATO countries, and the Alliance has stepped up its presence and exercises in the region.”

Sweden is also hosting BALTOPS 22 annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region. It is one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe enhancing flexibility and interoperability among NATO allied and partner countries. This year, about 45 maritime units, 75 aircraft, and around 7,000 military personnel are participating in the exercise.

Separately on June 12, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Finland, where he held meetings with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto, and other senior Finnish officials. NATO and Finnish officials discussed the challenging regional security environment, while Stoltenberg warned that “Putin’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine. The so-called ‘security treaties’ he presented to NATO and the United States last December made demands not only on Ukraine, but also on NATO. These demands amount to the complete re-write of the European security order, enshrined in the Helsinki Final Act. One of the main principles of the Final Act is the right of each nation to choose its own path”.

“The applications by Finland and Sweden to join our Alliance send a clear message. Aggression does not pay. Intimidation does not work. NATO’s door remains open,” Stoltenberg added.