In response to their requests to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine, the Council of Ministers of Belgium formally adopted a draft law allowing Finland and Sweden to join.
It was revealed on Friday afternoon that the Council of Ministers had, on the recommendation of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Defense Minister Ludivine Dedonder, accepted the draft bill on the accession of both nations after Turkey abandoned its objections.
Moreover, De Croo mentioned in the statement, “The fact that Finland and Sweden are joining NATO makes the European continent safer. Some people hoped to disunite us. We have never formed a more united bloc than we do today, and NATO is stronger than ever.”
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden made a formal request to join the transatlantic Alliance in May. Belgium supported their proposal.
All of the Alliance’s members decided to formally invite Finland and Sweden to join earlier this week at the Madrid Summit.
The planning of the Council of Ministers took place on Friday to validate the preliminary draft law on the “Protocol on the Accession of the Republic of Finland and the Kingdom of Sweden to the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation,” which means the important elements are in place for the Federal Parliament to ratify the accession of both countries, meaning the ratification procedure can be completed “as soon as possible.”
“It is now important that the accession of Finland and Sweden takes place quickly to give concrete form to the new strategic direction taken this week at the Madrid Summit. To protect our freedom and democracy,” De Croo highlighted.
Furthermore, this preliminary draft will be submitted to the Council of State for its opinion.
