What is the process to join NATO?
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(CNN) --
Finland and Sweden have submitted their applications to join NATO, the military alliance's secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, said Wednesday.
"The requests you have submitted today are a historic step. The allies will now consider the next steps on their path to NATO," Stoltenberg said after receiving the requests from the Finnish and Swedish ambassadors at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels.
What you need to know about Finland, Sweden and NATO
"The security interests of all allies must be taken into account and we are determined to resolve all issues and reach quick conclusions," he added.
Stoltenberg made the remarks along with Finnish and Swedish ambassadors to NATO, Klaus Korhone and Axel Wernhoff, respectively.
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