NATO membership for Sweden and Finland
Germany has paved the way for Finland and Sweden to join NATO. The Bundestag and Bundesrat approved the draft law introduced by the Federal Cabinet. Federal Chancellor Scholz said accession would ensure greater security – for all NATO members and for Europe.
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“Through the accession of Finland and Sweden, we will be gaining two valued allies that will strengthen NATO’s defence capabilities,” said Olaf Scholz in mid-May.
Photo: mauritius images / Andrzej Roste
Germany has given the green light for the expansion of NATO. Following the Federal Cabinet's adoption of the draft legislation on the NATO protocols concerning the accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden, the Bundestag has now approved the legislation by a large majority. The Bundesrat also approved the legislation on the same day. The Federal Government firmly believes that the accession of the two Scandinavian countries to NATO will contribute to security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.
Strengthening the defence alliance
“It's a good thing the Bundestag and Bundesrat have approved the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO. This ensures greater security – for all NATO members and for Europe,” said Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz.
Finland and Sweden formally applied to join NATO on 18 May 2022. According to Article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty, NATO member states "may, by unanimous agreement, invite any other European State in a position to further the principles of this Treaty and to contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area to accede to this Treaty. Any state so invited may become a Party to the Treaty by depositing its instrument of accession with the Government of the United States of America."
All NATO member states must agree to the accession
Finland and Sweden will only be able to join NATO once all of the 30 member states have formally agreed to the expansion of the transatlantic alliance through the entry into force of the respective protocols. The NATO Secretary General will then send the formal offer of accession to the governments of Finland and Sweden.