Biden backs NATO bid, Niinistö for discussion on Turkey´s concerns

US President Joseph R. Biden on Thursday underscored his commitment to support Finland and Sweden as they seek formal NATO accession while President Sauli Niinistö expressed willingness to discuss all the concerns Turkey may have regarding the membership of Finland and Sweden.

Niinistö along with Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson held a meeting with his US counterpart in Washington and held discussion on the NATO membership applications made by Finland and Sweden.

Biden warmly welcomed the applications for NATO membership saying that it will strengthen collective security.

He underscored his commitment to support both countries as they seek formal NATO accession, including by working with NATO Allies and Congress to welcome them into the Alliance as quickly as possible, said the White House in a press release after the meeting.

"Having two new NATO members in the high north will enhance the security of our alliance and deepen our security cooperation across the board," Biden said.

"New members joining NATO is not a threat to any nation," the US President added.

Niinistö pointed out that the Turkish leadership has recently expressed concerns about the Finland, Sweden´s membership application and expressed openness to discuss all concerns regarding the NATO membership.

“We are open to discussing all the concerns Turkey may have concerning our membership in an open and constructive manner. These discussions have already taken place, and they will continue in the next days,” Niinistö said.

He said that Finland has always had broad and good bilateral relations to Turkey, according to the statement issued by the Finnish President office.

“As NATO allies, we will commit to Turkey’s security just as Turkey will commit to our security. We take terrorism seriously, we condemn terrorism in all its forms, and we are actively engaged in combatting it,” he added.

Niinistö said that Finland has made its decision after a rapid but a very thorough process. The process has once again revealed the strength of Finnish democracy. Starting from the strong public support, the decision was made with an overwhelming parliamentary majority and it also enjoys huge, strong popular support.

“I want to thank you, Mr. President , for your steadfast support throughout this process. In early March, I visited the White House and you encouraged us to go further. That was of vital importance in the process,” he told his US counterpart.

He assured that Finland will become a strong NATO ally.

“We take our security very seriously. The Finnish armed forces are one of the strongest in Europe,” Niinistö added.

“Now that we have taken this first decisive step, it is time for NATO allies to weigh in. We hope for strong support from all allies, and for a swift ratification of our membership once it is agreed. I believe that the United States can set a crucially important example to others,” said Niinistö.

At the meeting, the Presidents and Prime Minister Andersson discussed various aspects of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership, Russia’s warfare in Ukraine and the relationship of Europe and the United States in the changed security situation.

In addition to the discussions in the White House, President Niinistö’s programme also includes other meetings with various political actors.