China News Agency, Washington, May 19 (Reporter Chen Mengtong) U.S. President Biden met the visiting leaders of Finland and Sweden at the White House on the 19th and said that the United States "fully supports" the two countries' joining NATO.
Finland and Sweden formally submitted their applications to join NATO on the 18th.
However, the two countries' "accession" process is still opposed by NATO member Turkey.
Speaking in the Rose Garden, Biden noted that new NATO members pose no threat to any country.
The purpose of NATO is defense.
The addition of Finland and Sweden would make NATO stronger.
A strong, united NATO is also the foundation of American national security.
Biden said his administration will submit a report on Finland and Sweden joining NATO to the U.S. Congress so that Congress can quickly pass the relevant procedures at that time.
According to the regulations, NATO must "unanimously agree" to recruit new members.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated on the 19th that Turkey would not allow Finland and Sweden to join NATO.
Turkey has repeatedly stressed that when the two countries seek to join NATO, they must stop supporting the PKK and the "Gulen Movement" and lift restrictions on Turkey's export of defense equipment.
Finnish President Niinisto said in a speech at the White House that day that Finland "is willing to discuss all concerns with Turkey in an open and constructive manner" and that "we condemn all forms of terrorism and are actively participating in the fight against terrorism."
Sweden's Prime Minister Andersson said Sweden was also reaching out to Turkey and other NATO members "to resolve any issues".
NATO is a military-political bloc established in 1949 by the United States to win over some European countries after World War II to contain the Soviet Union.
After its establishment, NATO has been expanded for a total of 8 times, and the number of member countries has increased to 30.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on the 16th that Finland and Sweden's accession to NATO does not pose a direct threat to Russia, but the expansion of NATO's military infrastructure on the territory of the two countries will inevitably lead to a response from Russia.
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