In the coming days, Finland will officially become the 31st member of NATO after Turkey approved the Northern European country's application for membership on the eve of the last NATO state.

 This was announced by the Secretary General of the Alliance Jens Stoltenberg in his statement on Friday.

 Stoltenberg noted that all 30 NATO members ratified the protocol on Finland's accession. He reported on a conversation with Finnish President Sauli Niiniste, in which he congratulated him on this historic event.

 "Finland will officially join our Alliance in the coming days. Its membership will make Finland safer and NATO stronger," Stoltenberg said.

 Stoltenberg noted that Finland has very capable forces, advanced capabilities and strong democratic institutions, so its membership will bring a lot to NATO.

 He added that he is looking forward to the opportunity to welcome Sweden as a full member of the NATO family as soon as possible.

 "Allies agree that a swift completion of the ratification process for Sweden will be to everyone's benefit," Stoltenberg said.

 Sweden and Finland applied to join NATO last May after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

 The Parliament of Turkey on Friday night ratified the protocol on Finland's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. This came after months of resistance and blocking of Finland's bid to join NATO.

 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has yet to confirm the ratification of Finland's membership. He has 15 days to do this.

 Stoltenberg believes that Sweden can still become a member of NATO by the summer, despite the fact that its application has not been ratified by Turkey and Sweden.