NATO membership decision draws closer as Finnish and Swedish leaders meet
- Finland’s Prime Minister Sanna Marin met with Swedish PM Magdalena Andersson in Stockholm Wednesday to discuss defense and security policy, including the ongoing debate as to whether both countries should join NATO or not.
- The meeting came as the Finnish government published a security analysis that will form the basis for a Finnish parliamentary decision on the NATO issue, and during the press conference Sanna Marin said it would be good if both countries made a similar choice, and with a similar timetable.
- However, both prime ministers emphasized that the countries’ internal discussions and decisions regarding NATO membership are being made independently, but in close dialogue with each other.
Listen to Radio Sweden’s full radio report:
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Arctic Security: Will Canada’s federal budget deliver for NORAD?, Eilís Quinn, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: NATO chief: Decision on Finland’s membership can be quick, Yle News
Norway: More than 2,300 Swedish and Finnish troops advance into Northern Norway to join NATO drills Cold Response, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian Navy announces firing near NATO Arctic exercise, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Sweden takes part in Arctic military manoeuvres with NATO countries, Radio Sweden
United States: Arctic nations say they’re ramping up military spending as they meet with U.S. Senators, Alaska Public Media
