“I expect good conversations between the allies,” responds the D66 minister in Brussels. “Those talks will also take place between Turkey, Finland and Sweden.”
Erdogan said on Monday that he would “not approve” the accession of the Scandinavian countries. All current member states of the military alliance must agree. According to the head of state, the two countries are home to organizations and individuals he considers to be ‘terrorist’. He says that Finnish and Swedish diplomats do not need to come to Ankara for negotiations. Earlier, the Turkish foreign minister said he did not want to block the application.
More exciting than expected
The Turkish resistance makes the admission process of Finland and Sweden more exciting than expected. However, Ollongren does not expect a delay. Due to tensions with Russia, NATO wants to ensure that both candidates can join the military alliance in record time.
Finland and Sweden are particularly vulnerable during the process of application for approval by parliaments in all Member States. They cannot then formally invoke the famous Article 5; an attack on one is an attack on all. The United States, Britain, Denmark and Norway have offered to come to the rescue of the two states should the Russians open fire.
Security guarantees
“The Netherlands has not yet received a request to help,” says Ollongren about safety guarantees. “There are plenty of opportunities to make an active contribution. We are already active with the navy in the northern part of the alliance.”
The Netherlands applauds the historic decision of Helsinki and Stockholm. “There are security risks for Finland and Sweden. It is very understandable that they request the membership. For NATO, enlargement is of great strategic importance.”