German Foreign Minister Analena Verbock said she supported Finland and Sweden’s accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
According to CNN, Foreign Minister Beerbock said at a press conference after the meeting of the foreign ministers of the G7 countries held at Weissenhaus in Hamburg, northern Germany, that “each country is free to decide whether to join the alliance” and “This also applies to Sweden and Finland.” ” he said.
“It is not NATO that pressured Sweden and Finland to join NATO,” he said. “President Vladimir Putin’s actions put pressure on Finland and Sweden.”
“Because they want to live in peace with their neighbors and allies, and if they do, I will be very supportive.”
“The German government has already made it clear that we are more than just supporting membership,” he said. “Sweden and Finland are strong powers in terms of their own defense capabilities. That alone will strengthen NATO membership,” he said.
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced on the 12th that he would welcome and support Finland and Sweden’s membership in NATO.
It seems that Minister Beerbok repeatedly emphasized Germany’s support for Turkey’s president’s opposition to Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO.
On the 13th, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his opposition to Sweden and Finland’s accession to NATO, saying, “I am not in a favorable position.” He explained why he opposed it, arguing that Scandinavian countries like Sweden support Kurdish rebels, which Turkey considers to be a terrorist force.
Applications for NATO accession from Finland and Sweden are imminent.
Finnish President Sauli Ninistö said in a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the 14th that he would “determine within a few days” on NATO membership.
[서울=뉴시스]