According to Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto (Green), it is important from a military standpoint that Finland and Sweden join Nato at the same time, reports Yle.

Haavisto spoke at the annual Rikskonferensen foreign and security policy seminar in Sälen, western Sweden, along with Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson (The moderates). The theme of this year's conference was “EU and Nato in the new security policy reality”.

Speaking at a press conference, Haavisto said that Finland is not in such a hurry to join Nato that it cannot wait for Sweden.

In his speech, Haavisto reiterated that Finland and Sweden will join Nato together.

"We submitted the Nato membership application together [and] we will also complete the process together," Haavisto said.

The Nordic neighbours submitted their applications together last May. A month later, they signed a three-way agreement with Turkey aimed at overcoming its objections to their Nato memberships.