The heads of the three Baltic governments have issued a joint statement voicing strong support to Finland and Sweden on the day the two Nordic countries submitted their applications to join NATO.
The joint statement by prime minister of Estonia Kaja Kalas, Latvian prime minister Krišjānis Kariņš and Lithuanian head of government Ingrida Šimonytė, issued on Wednesday, May 18, reads as follows:
«We, the Prime Ministers of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, fully endorse and warmly welcome the historic decisions by Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership.
Finland and Sweden share the same values that bind the NATO Allies together, and share our commitment to the principles that constitute the foundation of Euro-Atlantic security. The accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO will enhance our collective security and strengthen the Alliance.
The Baltic States together with Finland and Sweden share the responsibility for peaceful, secure, and prosperous Nordic Baltic region. The accession of Finland and Sweden into NATO will help to achieve these goals and open new opportunities for our countries for closer and stronger cooperation in the fields of security and defence.
Our security interests are the same, and we share similar security threats and challenges. Therefore, the Baltic States will address these threats and challenges in close cooperation and solidarity with Finland and Sweden, both as NATO Allies, and during the time of Finland and Sweden’s accession to NATO process. We will do our utmost to ensure that this accession process will go swiftly and smoothly.
In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the NATO’s role as a defensive Alliance that strives for peace, security, and stability in the whole of the Euro-Atlantic has become even more important. We are looking forward to working together with Finland and Sweden within the Alliance to achieve these goals.»
Baltics voice strong support to Finnish, Swedish NATO bid
