Congratulatory messages from European countries to Finland, a NATO member

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas congratulated Finland’s entry into NATO, saying: “This is a historic moment for our neighbors to the north, the Baltic Sea region and NATO in general.” saying.

Kallas’ assessments of Finland’s entry into NATO were included in the Estonian Prime Minister’s statement.

Kallas stated that Estonia and Finland have always been close friends and are now allies in NATO.

Congratulating Finland’s entry into NATO, Kallas said: “This is a historic moment for our neighbors to the north, the Baltic Sea region and NATO in general.” he used the phrases.

Emphasizing that Russia is the biggest threat to NATO and it is necessary to be prepared for long-lasting challenges, Kallas said: “Over the past year, NATO has taken important steps to increase the security of our allies. Finland’s membership and NATO enlargement also demonstrate that the alliance plays a key role in ensuring Euro-Atlantic security.” he performed the assessment of it.

The Estonian prime minister added that the Finnish flag will be hung on the parliament building tonight and photos of milestones in relations between the two countries will be reflected on the building.

POLAND

Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki shared on his Twitter account: “Congratulations Finland. We are now 31 countries in NATO. Strong partners provide a guarantee of security for our region and for the whole world.” he used the phrase.

Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said: “Finland is famous for its powerful air force, powerful artillery and well-trained forces.” he shared his message.

ENGLAND

The British Foreign Office said in a statement that the UK welcomes Finland’s membership in NATO.

In the statement calling on Turkey and Hungary to complete the necessary approval process for Sweden’s membership, assessments by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak were also included.

Sunak’s statement read: “This is a historic day for NATO and Finland. Finland’s participation has strengthened the alliance, each of us more confident. In order to keep peace in Europe and the world together as an alliance, all NATO members must take the necessary steps to accept Sweden.” statements were included.

Secretary of State James Cleverly said in his statement that “today it will go down in the history books.”

Stating that he thought Russia would split the alliance, but the alliance grew stronger, Cleverly added that they would continue to work to gain more allies and speed up Sweden’s membership.

In the statement, it was also stated that the UK will support the comprehensive support package prepared by NATO for Ukraine with £10 million and the support package prepared for Georgia, Moldova and Bosnia and Herzegovina with £2 million.

FRANCE

French President Emmanuel Macron said on his Twitter account: “Welcome to NATO, Finland! I hope that we will soon welcome our Swedish friends”. he used the phrase.

French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna congratulated Finland, which is NATO’s 31st member, in a post on Twitter.

“We hope that Sweden will join (NATO) without waiting any longer, because with these two countries our Alliance will be stronger to guarantee the security of the Euro-Atlantic region,” Colonna said. she used the phrases.

GERMANY

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared Finland’s NATO membership a victory for transatlantic security.

Scholz shared on Twitter: “Finland is now a member of NATO. This is good news and a victory for transatlantic security. Together with Finland, our defense alliance is growing with a strong friend. We fully support the pending membership of Sweden.” he used the phrases.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also stated that with Finland’s participation, NATO will be strengthened.

Baerbock tweeted: “Welcome to NATO Finland. A historic 74th birthday for our alliance. This participation will benefit us all, it will make Finland safer and NATO stronger. With the Finnish flag taking its place at NATO headquarters, we are ready for Sweden’s turn. Sweden can count on us.” shared.

SPAIN

Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, who attended the ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on behalf of the Spanish government, said: “With Finland’s entry into NATO, our security has increased even more. Together with Finland, NATO doubled its land border with Russia. Our risk and threat analyzes continue to be performed at all times.” saying.

“NATO has once again shown the importance of its existence in difficult times.” Defense Minister Margarita Robles said: “In this difficult and complicated political period due to the war between Ukraine and Russia, NATO is stronger and more resilient, showing its unity and solidarity with all member states.”

GREECE

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, in his statement at the entrance of the NATO meeting in Brussels, stated that today is an important day due to the 74th anniversary of NATO, saying: “At the same time, this anniversary is the anniversary of Finland. , a democratic European country, join the alliance. combined with your participation. I think it also has a different symbol of Finland’s participation. It reinforces the perception that NATO is not only a successful defense alliance in the world, but also an alliance of values ​​that will deepen and defend its values ​​such as international law, democracy and human rights.” he said.

SWEDEN

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström said they welcome Finland’s membership in NATO.

Billström said: “We congratulate Finland’s membership in NATO, although we started this journey together, we were delighted that only Finland became a member, our joy did not diminish in the least.” expressions were used.

Stating that his goal is to join the Alliance at the NATO Summit to be held on July 11-12 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, Tobias said: “As a government, we need to assess and work well on the process which leads to Vilnius, and what is important is that we emerge as NATO members at this summit.” saying.

Billström added that talks with Turkish and Hungarian officials about Sweden’s NATO membership will continue.

CROATIA AND SLOVANIA

Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic congratulated Finland on becoming a NATO member on his social media account.

Plenkovic said: “Today is a historic day where our alliance was strengthened. I look forward to celebrating Sweden’s accession soon.” he made statements.

The Slovenian Ministry of Defense also stated that Finland was included in NATO in its 74th year of establishment, saying: “NATO has successfully fought new threats over the years and ensured the security of the Euro-Atlantic region. That made it the most successful defensive alliance.” included his evaluation.

NATO EXPANDING

Following an open door policy, NATO expanded for the ninth time, marking 74 years. Founded in 1949 with 12 members, the Alliance reached 31 members with the participation of Finland.

Turkey and Greece joined NATO in 1952, which was established with the signatures of the US, Belgium, England, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Italy, Iceland, Canada, Luxembourg, Norway and Portugal.

Germany joined NATO in 1955 and Spain in 1982, while in the 1999 enlargement the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland joined the Alliance.

Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia became members of the enlargement in 2004, while Albania and Croatia became NATO members in 2009, Montenegro in 2017 and North Macedonia in 2020. (AUTOMOBILE BRITISH CLUB)