Finland's inclusion among the full-fledged NATO members - which happened on the 74th anniversary of NATO's founding on Tuesday - means strengthening of the Alliance as such, and it is also good news for Slovakia, interim Foreign Affairs Minister Rastislav Kacer said in Brussels on Tuesday. Following the ceremonial raising of the Finnish flag among other allies' flags at NATO headquarters, Kacer stated that it was a historic day not only for Finland, but also for the entire Alliance.
"NATO becomes a stronger and safer defence alliance, as the more members it has, the more effectively it deters potential aggressors," said Kacer. In this context, he reiterated that there's no better and more effective way to keep Slovakia safe than NATO membership. According to him, it represents the basis of freedom and stability, but also economic development and prosperity.
"Thanks to its advanced and modern army, Finland will strengthen the capabilities of the entire Alliance. The security situation in Europe changed significantly after the start of Russia's illegal war against Ukraine and, therefore, Finland decided to gain the security guarantees of NATO's collective defence," explained Kacer.
He pointed to the fact that Finns submitted the application to join NATO together with the Swedes, who are seeking security guarantees associated with NATO membership in response to Russian aggression against Ukraine as well. He emphasised that rapid completion of the ratification procedures also in the case of Sweden is in the interest of all allies.
Finland's joining of NATO will make the Alliance more powerful and secure, President Zuzana Caputova stated in her social network post on Tuesday. The head of state noted that NATO provides the guarantee of security and defence of freedom for almost one billion people, including the inhabitants of Slovakia. "The Finns decided to join NATO shortly after Russia attacked our neighbour, Ukraine, in February 2022 again. Today's enlargement of NATO by Finland makes our Alliance even more secure and stronger," stated the President, pointing out that Finland has chosen to abandon its longstanding policy of neutrality.
(TASR)
