Finland hails Sweden´s NATO membership

Finnish leaders on Monday welcomed Sweden into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) immediately after the ratification of the membership by the Hungarian parliament.

With Monday's ratification, Hungary became the last of the 31 NATO member countries that approved Sweden's bid to join the military alliance, following the green light from the Turkish parliament on Jan. 23.

President Sauli Niinistö, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen and Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen in separate posts in their social media platform X congratulated Sweden as the new member of the alliance.

"Now Hungary, as the last member country, has also ratified Sweden's NATO application. We look forward to bringing our neighbour into the alliance. This will also complete our own membership," Niinistö wrote in his post, adding congratulations to Swedish Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister in his post wrote, “Grattis Sverige! Congratulations Sweden! Välkommen till NATO. Together we are stronger. Yhdessä olemme vahvempia. Tillsammans är vi starkare” along with Finnish and Swedish flags.

Valtonen in her post wrote, “Congratulations Sweden and warm welcome to NATO. Looking forward to deep cooperation within the defense alliance with my Swedish colleague Tobias Billstrom.

Congratulating Sweden, Häkkänen wrote in his social media platform that Sweden's membership strengthens NATO and the defense of the Nordic region.

Earlier, Hungary's lawmakers approved a bill on Sweden's bid to join the NATO.

Out of the 199 members of parliament (MP), 194 participated in the voting, with 188 votes in favor and six against.

Finland and Sweden in May 2022 formally submitted their applications for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).