[앵커]
Finland, which applied for NATO membership following the invasion of Ukraine last year, is expected to become an official member next month at the earliest.
Turkey, which had not approved membership, entered the ratification process, but the United States emphasized that Sweden should also become a member as soon as possible.
Reporter Lee Kyung-ah reports.
[기자]
[레제프 타이이프 에르도안 / 튀르키예 대통령 : 핀란드에 대한 나토 가입 비준 절차를 시작하기로 결정했습니다.]
As Turkiye announced its ratification process, Finland crossed the final threshold for NATO membership.
The ratification bill is expected to pass the ruling-party parliament next month, before the presidential elections in May.
Prior to this, on the 27th, Hungary will vote on Finland’s ratification of accession.
After the summit meeting in Turkiye, the President of Finland expressed his gratitude.
[사울 니니스퇴 / 핀란드 대통령 : 지난해 봄 우리 의회 의원 95%가 나토 가입에 찬성했습니다. 이제 우리는 답을 얻었습니다. 감사합니다.]
In May of last year, after the war in Ukraine, long-neutral Finland and Sweden declared NATO membership.
This is due to growing security concerns in the two neighboring countries of Russia.
Unlike Finland, Sweden has yet to obtain agreements from Turkey and Hungary.
It is said that Sweden did not hand over the recruits of Kurdistan Workers Party officials, which Turkey has defined as a terrorist organization.
The United States emphasized that Sweden should become a member as soon as possible.
It is because of the expectation that the power of the NATO alliance to keep Russia in check will grow even more.
NATO also urged the expedient to finalize the process.
[옌스 스톨텐베르그 / 나토 사무총장 : 엄중한 안보 상황 속에 핀란드와 스웨덴의 나토 가입은 우리의 동맹을 더 강하고 안전하게 해 줄 것입니다. 신속한 비준이 모두의 이익입니다.]
On the other hand, Russia again expressed regret about the accession, saying, “We have stated that we do not have any conflict with the two countries and do not threaten.”
This is YTN Lee Kyung-ah.
YTN Lee Kyung-ah ([email protected])
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