Finland’s NATO membership reinforces Baltic security, says Lithuanian president

Finland’s formal accession to NATO reinforces the security of the Baltic Sea region and the entire Eastern flank of the alliance, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has said.

On Tuesday, he congratulated Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Finland officially joining NATO as the 31st member of the alliance.

“Sincere congratulations to you and all the people of Finland on this historic day! Finland’s formal accession to NATO as a full member reinforces the security of the Baltic Sea region and the entire Eastern flank of the alliance,” Nausėda was quoted as saying in a press release.

“I am confident that we will successfully work together to meet the emerging threats and challenges, not only as close partners but also as trusted allies,” he added.

The Lithuanian president also said he looked forward to welcoming the president of Finland at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

Finland shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia. The country’s accession to NATO more than doubles the size of the alliance’s border with Russia.

Finland and neighbouring Sweden jointly applied for NATO membership in May 2022. The countries, which have close cultural, economic, and political ties, planned to enter the alliance together.

Flags of Finland, Sweden, and NATO | AP nuotr.

Sweden’s bid, however, has stalled due to opposition from Turkey, as Ankara requested Stockholm to extradite Kurdish “terrorists” first.

Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis also congratulated Finland on officially joining NATO on Tuesday and said that “significant developments” relating to Sweden’s membership in NATO could be expected following the presidential elections in Turkey in May.

“Celebrations are not final yet. We are waiting for the 32nd flag to be hoisted alongside the 31st flag,” Landsbergis told reporters in Brussels.

“I think our Turkish partners now move to the most active election period. Perhaps any significant developments could hardly be expected at this particular stage, but I think that the majority of ministers and representatives gathering here hope that those steps would be taken after the elections,” he added.