"This is truly a historic moment," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said after the signing in Brussels.
"With 32 nations around the table, we will be even stronger," he added.
Speaking alongside the foreign ministers of the two Nordic countries, Stoltenberg urged allies to swiftly ratify the accession and assured Finland and Sweden of NATO's support in the meantime, the Reuters news agency reported.
"The security of Finland and Sweden is important for our alliance, including during the ratification process," he declared.
"Many allies have already made clear commitments to Finland's and Sweden's security, and NATO has increased our presence in the region, including with more exercises," Stoltenberg added, as quoted by Reuters.
Tuesday's signing ceremony at NATO's Brussels headquarters followed a deal reached at last week's NATO summit in Madrid where Turkey agreed to lift its objections to Finland’s and Sweden’s bids to join the alliance.
The two countries in May formally asked to join NATO, submitting their applications in Brussels.
Poland’s President Andrzej Duda said last month that NATO’s invitation for Finland and Sweden to join the alliance was “a historic decision.”
Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said in May that Poland would come to the aid of Finland and Sweden if the two countries were attacked by Russia before securing NATO membership.
Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau said in Helsinki last week that Finland’s accession to NATO would strengthen the alliance and significantly increase security in the Baltic Sea region.
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Source: IAR, PAP, Reuters
