“The Alliance itself is more a confrontational tool. It is not an alliance that guarantees peace and stability. Further expansion of the Alliance will certainly not bring additional security to the European continent,” the official told reporters.

The Times newspaper reported Stockholm and Helsinki want to join NATO this summer and their authorities are working together to reach a consensus within their countries on the issue of their membership, but each state will make the final decision in an independent manner.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu commented earlier that the possible entry of these nations into the bloc was one of the most discussed issues during the meeting of NATO foreign ministers, which took place in Brussels on April 6th and 7th.

The Finnish newspaper Iltalehti confirmed that the country may decide to apply for NATO membership in May, after the next parliamentary session, according to a report to be presented by the government on foreign and security policy.

If the application is approved, Finland’s NATO admission process could take several months to a year, said its Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto.

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