(L-R) Flag of Finland, Flag of Sweden;
In an official statement issued on Wednesday 18 May 2022, Luxembourg's Ministry of State, the Directorate of Defence and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs confirmed that the Grand Duchy welcomed the decision of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership.
The statement noted that Finland and Sweden play an important role for the security in the region, especially in the Baltic Sea and in northern Europe. Their membership will enhance the security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. Luxembourg have been working together with these two countries for decades, within the European Union (EU) but also within the framework of their close partnerships with NATO. Finland and Sweden share Luxembourg's values and ambition for an international order based on law.
Luxembourg therefore fully supports these two candidatures and stands ready to support Finland and Sweden in their accession process. Finland and Sweden exercise their sovereign right in deciding to apply for NATO membership and this decision follows a democratic process based on a thorough analysis of the security environment. Luxembourg supports the desire of these countries to strengthen their security and reaffirms its solidarity and its commitment under the terms of Article 42.7 of the Treaty on European Union.
Luxembourg will work towards a rapid accession process and looks forward to being able to count on Finland and Sweden as Allies in the North Atlantic Council in the near future, to jointly defend shared values, freedoms and the security of the Euro-Atlantic area.
