Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged Finland and Sweden on Saturday to apply for NATO membership as soon as possible, saying their accession will improve the security in the Baltic region, APA reports citing Sputnik.

Earlier in the week, Swedish newspaper Expressen reported that Finland had invited Sweden to jointly file applications for NATO membership. Meanwhile, The Times reported that Sweden and Finland intend to join NATO this summer.

“[Finland and Sweden] cannot waste time, and need to implement decisions as soon as possible,” Nauseda told Financial Times, adding that “Sweden and Finland joining Nato would improve the security situation in the Baltic region.”

The accession of Finland and Sweden will also strengthen NATO as an organisation, he opined.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on multiple occasions that the alliance stands ready to accept Finland and Sweden the moment they express interest.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency