By Oluwaseun Sonde
The Canadian Government has said that it will strongly supports Finland and Sweden’s decision to pursue North Atlantic Treaty Organization NATO membership, while promised to support through the accession process, including against threats to their security.
Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau who disclosed this in a statement released over the Finland and Sweden's application to join NATO membership, said as close friend and security partners, his country will continue to support the principles that have kept them on both sides of the Atlantic safe, free, and prosperous for over 70 years.
According to him, "Finland and Sweden are the Alliance’s closest and most active security and defence partners.
"They share the Alliance’s commitment to upholding the rules-based international system and are committed to the principles of state sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their militaries are highly qualified and capable, and we have full confidence in the ability of both countries to integrate rapidly into NATO".
The PM noted that Canada has long been a champion of NATO’s Open Door Policy for any European country in a position to advance the commitments and obligations of membership and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.
"It is Finland and Sweden’s sovereign right to choose their own security arrangements, we wholeheartedly endorse their application without reservation. We underscore that NATO is a defensive Alliance and does not seek confrontation, nor pose any threat to any country.”
Meanwhile, Turkey, which like all NATO members has the right to veto a nation’s candidacy, has raised objections, and ambassadors meeting in Brussels failed Wednesday to reach consensus on starting formal membership negotiations.
Turkey has accused the two countries, especially Sweden, of giving safe haven to members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is designated as a terror group by Ankara and its Western allies.
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