Latvian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs has submitted to the government legislative projects regarding the ratification of Finland’s and Sweden’s membership in NATO, as confirmed by the ministry’s press-secretary Jānis Beķeris.
According to to schedule, the Cabinet of Ministers will review everything on Tuesday, 24 May.
The minister reported on Twitter that the government received legislative drafts that ratify the joining of NATO by Finland and Sweden.
On 18 May Finland and Sweden submitted their requests to join NATO.
Ambassadors of both countries submitted the necessary documents directly to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels. The event was called «historic» by Stoltenberg.
For a long time Finland and Sweden have stayed out of the alliance, but Russia’s invasion of Ukraine drastically changed the security situation in Europe, which is why the general opinion of politicians and the public has switched towards joining NATO.
Members of the alliance are generally positive about Finland and Sweden joining. Only Turkey objects, accusing both countries of providing asylum to Kurdish militants who fight against Turkey’s government.
Finland, Sweden and western allies all hope Turkey’s objections will be overcome.
Multiple NATO member states, including Britain, have offered Finland and Sweden security guarantees during the review of their applications while the collective security treaty does not extend to the two countries.
The military alliance formed in 1949 currently has 30 member states.
Latvian government receives legislative projects for Sweden’s and Finland’s NATO membership
