The Allies Have Signed Access Protocols Of Finland And Sweden For Their NATO Admission. It Is A Historical Moment.

On Tuesday, the representatives of 30 NATO Member states have signed the access protocols of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty. The NATO general secretary Jens Stoltenberg has announced it at a press conference in Brussels. 

„It is a historical moment for Finland, Sweden and NATO," said Stoltenberg at a press conference at the side of Finland's and Sweden's ministers of foreign affairs. "With 32 countries, we will be even stronger," he added. 

Access protocols must now be ratified with all 30 NATO member states. This process may take a few months and only after that may both Nordic countries become members of the military organization and a part of the collective defence. 

„Thank you for your support! Each of the Allies may now begin the ratification process," stated the Swedish minister of foreign affairs Ann Linde on the social media platform Twitter. "We look forward to the cooperation and securing our collective safety," she added.

After signing the access protocols, Finland and Sweden will be able to take part in NATO meetings and they will have greater access to secret service information. These two Nordic countries will however, until the ratification, not be protected by the NATO clause which states that if one member state is attacked, all NATO member states are, explains Reuters.