Ottawa: Canada has become the first country to ratify the accession protocols of Finland and Sweden for NATO membership as it tries to fast-track their full admission, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Tuesday.
“Today, 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 news release.
At the NATO’s annual summit which took place in Madrid, Spain,
Trudeau met with the leaders of Finland and Sweden, President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, during the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain, from June 28-30. During the meeting, Trudeau reiterated Canada’s support for the two countries’ bid to become full members of the military alliance.
Trudeau expressed confidence the two countries are capable of a swift integration in NATO that will serve to enhance collective defense.
“Their membership will make NATO stronger and we call on all NATO members to move swiftly to complete their ratification processes to limit opportunities for interference by adversaries,” Trudeau said.
