SPOKESPERSON’S STATEMENT
FROM THE MINISTRY FOR EUROPE AND FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Announcement by Turkey and Hungary of their intention to ratify Finland’s NATO accession protocol
17 mars 2023
The announcement by Turkey and then by Hungary of their intention to proceed with the ratification of the protocol for Finland’s accession to NATO is an important signal that France welcomes and that it calls for to translate into action as soon as possible time limit.
France has supported, since they expressed it, the choice of Sweden and Finland to join the Atlantic Alliance, jointly and without delay. These two countries have significant military capabilities that are interoperable with NATO. Their membership will therefore contribute significantly to the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and of the allies.
Now that war has returned to European soil, the strengthening of the Atlantic Alliance is in the interest of all its members. France therefore expects Turkey and Hungary to also ratify Sweden’s accession protocol without further delay, so that NATO can welcome these two new allies at the Vilnius summit in July 2023.
