5 countries ratify Finland, Sweden's NATO accession protocols

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday that Canada is ratifying Finland and Sweden's accession protocols to join NATO, reported Xinhua.

Meanwhile, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Estonia also ratified Finland and Sweden's accession protocols, reported National broadcaster Yle.

"Canada became the first country to ratify the accession protocols of Finland and Sweden to join NATO. This brings the two countries a step closer to full membership," Trudeau said in a statement.

Trudeau called on all NATO members to move swiftly to complete their ratification processes.

Canada took steps to be able to ratify the protocols as quickly as possible. The House of Commons has voted unanimously in favour of Finland and Sweden joining the alliance, Trudeau said.

NATO's 30 allies signed accession protocols for Sweden and Finland on Tuesday, starting the process to admit the two Nordic countries into the alliance.

The next step is for the parliaments of all 30 NATO members to ratify Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO, according to their own national procedures.