NATO Expands to 32 Countries... 30 Member States Sign Accession Protocols for Sweden and Finland

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeon Jin-young] Ambassadors of the 30 member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) simultaneously signed the accession protocols of Sweden and Finland at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on the 5th (local time).

According to German media, Sweden and Finland have become official member states of the NATO alliance.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary General, said at a press conference that day, "It is truly a historic moment for Sweden, Finland, and NATO," adding, "When 32 member countries sit around one table and put their heads together, we will become stronger."

Ratification by the parliaments of member countries is still required for final accession. German media predicted that ratification will take 6 to 8 months. The German Bundestag is expected to ratify as early as this week.

Under pressure from Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO on May 18. The two countries had maintained a neutral stance for over 70 years under a policy of military non-alignment but decided to join following the Ukraine war.