Baltic PMs welcome decision by Finland, Sweden to apply for NATO membership

TALLINN - Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas together with her Latvian counterpart Krisjanis Karins and Lithuanian colleague Ingrida Simonyte made a joint statement on Wednesday welcoming the historic decision by Finland and Sweden to join NATO.

"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 statement reads.

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 defense, they said.

"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," the three heads of government said.

"In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, 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," the statement says.