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US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has expressed confidence that Sweden and Finland will join NATO once the two countries formally apply, despite Turkey expressing concerns about the possible membership of the two Nordic states.
“The United States will strongly support the application of NATO to Sweden and Finland, if these two countries decide to formally apply for membership in the alliance.” Blinken told reporters Sunday after NATO foreign ministers met in Berlin.
He said he had heard “strong support” for the two countries’ NATO membership.
“I am convinced that we will reach a consensus”he said.
Finland officially announced on May 15 that it would apply for NATO membership. The country, which borders Russia, is expected to apply to NATO once Parliament approves such a decision.
Sweden, another Nordic country, is also expected to make such an announcement on May 16.
Russia has warned against NATO enlargement, while Turkey has voiced opposition to the possible membership of Finland and Sweden. Turkey’s objections are more to Sweden’s possible application, due to its soft stance on the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which Turkey, the United States and the European Union consider a terrorist organization./ REL
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