Finland, Sweden invited to join NATO - statement

BRUSSELS. June 29 (Interfax) - The NATO leadership has decided to invite Sweden and Finland to join the alliance, a declaration of the NATO summit in Madrid says.

"Today, we have decided to invite Finland and Sweden to become members of NATO, and agreed to sign the Accession Protocols," the document says.

Finland's and Sweden's accession to NATO will make them safer, NATO stronger, and the Euro-Atlantic area more secure, it says. NATO also reaffirmed its commitment to its Open Door Policy.

As was reported on Tuesday evening, Turkey dropped its objection against Sweden and Finland becoming NATO members. It is expected that, after receiving an invitation to join the alliance, the parties would have to agree upon accession conditions. Sweden and Finland will become NATO members if and when the parliaments of all countries comprising the alliance ratify the decision.