Denmark, Iceland and Norway 'strongly welcome' Finnish and Swedish decision to apply for NATO membership

The leaders of Denmark, Iceland and Norway have welcomed Finland and Sweden's decision to apply for membership of NATO. 

"We strongly welcome Finland and Sweden's decisions to apply for NATO membership," the three nations said in a joint statement, CNN reported.

"We note that the decisions by Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership are sovereign national decisions in line with Finland and Sweden's right to choose their own security arrangements. Finland and Swede have the right to pursue their accession process without any attempts of outside interference," the statement said.

On Monday, the Swedish government announced its decision to apply for NATO membership after determining that membership "is the best way to protect Sweden's security in light of the fundamentally changed security environment following Russia's invasion of Ukraine."

Last week, Finnish President Sauli Niinisto and Prime Minister Sanna Marin said Finland must apply for membership "without delay" and will complete the steps it needs to on the national level "in the next couple of days."

The three nations stressed Monday that Finnish and Swedish security are "a matter of common concern to us all."  

"Should Finland or Sweden be victim of aggression on their territory before obtaining NATO membership, we will assist Finland and Sweden by all means necessary," the three nations pledged. 

They also vowed to do their "utmost to ensure a swift accession process, as Finland and Sweden already live up to the relevant criteria for NATO membership."

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre pledged in a separate statement to "further develop our Nordic defense cooperation."