over. hello. some of us have already seen some fairly heavy and thundery downpours at times today. but for the rest of the day we will see some warm sunshine breaking through, particularly for parts of southern england and south wales into the midlands as well, as the cloud and showers push a bit further northwards. far north of scotland, also staying largely dry and sunny, but in between rather cloudy with outbreaks of showery rain. temperatures ranging between about 1k in newcastle to 22 in london today. through this evening and overnight, the first area of cloud and showers clears from the north. but more showers and thunderstorms rattle in from the south affecting central england towards northern ireland by the early hours of tomorrow morning. quite warm and humid in the south, too, a little bit fresher further north.

heading through monday and we're going to be seeing this frontal system, this area of rain slowly moving northward. so the morning pretty wet for northern ireland, north wales and northern england. during the afternoon, that area of rain becomes slow moving across central scotland and could bring some thunder and lightning. a return to sunnier skies towards the south. still one or two showers and top temperatures around 22 degrees. bye— bye.

hello, this is bbc news with shaun ley. the headlines... finland has announced formally that the country will apply for nato membership, in response to russia's invasion of ukraine. in response to russia's a british military intelligence assessment suggests russia may have lost one third of its ground forces since the start of its invasion of ukraine. ten people have been killed and three injured in a mass shooting in buffalo. president biden says america must do everything in its power to end hate—filled domestic terrorism. lebanon holds parliamentary elections for the first time since an economic collapse sparked widespread anger against the political elite. and a triumphant ukraine wins the eurovision song contest after claiming the popular vote in italy. they will now have to work out how

to hold the event in ukraine next year. now these are live pictures from berlin, where a press conference is about to get under way. this is the second and final day of the nato foreign ministers meeting. the announcement today that finland is expected to join. sweden's social democrats, the governing party in a position to influence the outcome there. we are waiting for annalena baerbock, who is the german foreign minister. she is the german foreign minister. she is also the presidential leader of the green party, because it is a coalition in germany. and she will bejoining remotely, joined remotely

by the secretary general of nato, jens stoltenberg and who is to address the nato expansion question. countries attending will want to talk about that both to the german foreign minister as the host and also to the secretary general of nato. it is his deputy, a romanian, who has been handling the foreign ministers�* meeting. it is the former norwegian prime ministerjens stoltenberg�*sjob. he is due to retire this year tojoin stoltenberg�*sjob. he is due to retire this year to join the sovereign wealth fund. i wonder whether given the ukraine crisis, they might have to think about delaying his retirement, not wanting to change horses, as it were, in the middle of such a big crisis. return to berlin a few minutes as soon as that news conference gets going. while wait for that, let�*s deal with that of a story i mentioned a few minutes ago.

let�*s return now to the news that nhs prescription charges in england are to be frozen at their current rate, as part of government efforts to ease the rising cost of living. the department of health and social care says it will save people £17 million overall; prescriptions will remain free across the rest of the uk. gareth barlow reports. as the cost of living rises, for the first time in over a decade the cost of prescriptions will not. in a typical year, charges usually increase in line with inflation but with inflation soaring at the fastest rate for 30 years, ministers have decided to freeze charges in the current rates. the move only affects patients in england, as people living elsewhere in the uk already do not have to pay. the freeze means a single prescription will remain at £9.35, while a three—month prescription prepayment will continue to be just over £30. but there are calls for the government to go further with its support.

those are the sort of people the squeezed middle, the middle people who don�*t get free prescriptions because they are not on the medicines that qualifies or on the income that qualifies. they often have to make decisions about which medicines they need, and those medicines are all prescribed for a reason. because those patients need that treatment. the decision of whether to buy medicines to treat a high blood pressure or use the money to feed her children is the situation faced by faith, a single mother of two who says she cannot afford vital drugs. i would rather save my children than myself, and that is why sometimes i cannot afford the prescriptions. so it will not go far, because it is not necessarily the... it affects, it is everything going up price—wise, and i cannot afford everything i used to be able to, including my prescription. not everyone in england has to pay for their medicine. in fact, the department of health says 89% of prescriptions

are dispensed free of charge. to people benefiting from age, income, maternity or medical—based exemptions. however, the chair of the prescription charges coalition said it is time for the government to review who is eligible for free prescriptions. we really are urging the government to actually review the prescription charges exemption list. it was put together over 50 years ago, when some conditions like hiv didn�*t even exist. but at the same time, there were not life—saving treatments for things like asthma and maybe parkinson�*s and ms. so we think it is really important that the government does overhaul the prescription charge exemption list. but this announcement today is very welcome from the health secretary. the department of health and social care estimates the freeze will save patients in england £17 million overall and it is just one measure that the government

hopes may help people with the rising cost of living. changes to the uk�*s national rail services and timetables have come into effect today. services which were suspended due to covid are being restored and there is a new station opening in the scottish borders. however, there has been criticism over cuts to the number of trains operating on some lines in the north of england. demonstrations in support of abortion have been taking place in cities across the united states. organisers have warned of a �*summer of rage�* if the supreme court overturns the legal right to terminate a pregnancy. that does seem likely. the leak of a draft ruling suggested judges were preparing to overturn the roe v wade ruling, which gave women the right to an abortion. our correspondent, will grant, has the latest from washington. a woman�*s right to choose is her business. the message to the supreme court was loud and unequivocal. when our reproductive justice rights are under attack, what do we do? stand up and fight. "no bans on our bodies,

we won�*t go back," chanted the thousands who turned out in washington, dc, to demand the landmark abortion law, roe v wade, is not touched, and that legislators and judges do not meddle with the decades—long right to choose what they do with their bodies. i think we are going in the worst direction possible. i don�*t know, ifeel like the first abortion march i went to was when i was three years old, and the fact that i am still here and i am 17 and i am still having to fight for my right, thatjust shows that we have made little to no progress. and it is gut—wrenching. abortion is basic health care, it is basic health care. it is horrific that this country continues to abuse their power to oppress people over their basic health care and basic rights. it was a similar story in hundreds of cities across the country — the anger and

frustration palpable. organisers have promised a summer of rage if the law is eventually reversed. back in washington, the crowd began to march on the seat ofjudicial power itself. young people who have attended this march are furious that they are having to fight for the same reproductive rights enjoyed by their grandmothers and mothers. furthermore, they fear that this may be a tipping point for other established freedoms in the united states. the supreme court has confirmed that a draft ruling leaked last week was genuine but said a final decision is yet to be taken. the republican party is confident that most americans will in fact accept an end to roe v wade, with more than half the states ready to enact a ban on abortion if the law is changed. but these protesters vehemently disagree and insist that they are in the majority on the issue of a woman�*s right to choose. will grant, bbc news, washington, dc.

north korea has reported another 15 deaths from what it describes as "fever", as it confronts the spread of coronavirus. a further 300,000 cases of the illness were recorded on sunday. the state news agency has admitted that the population lacked awareness of the disease. shanghai�*s deputy mayor says some businesses will start reopening from monday. china�*s economic capital has been in lockdown for over six weeks, with most residents shut in their homes because of the spread of coronavirus. denmark is suspending its general coronavirus immunisation programme thanks to high vaccine coverage in the population and a waning pandemic. from today, officials will stop sending out invitations for vaccinations, though a further programme will be launched in the autumn. vaccination rates in adults stand at 90%, and as many as 70% of the population may have caught the 0micron variant, helping denmark to achieve widespread immunity.

state—owned oil giant saudi aramco has almost doubled its profit in the first quarter of this year, as oil prices surge in wake of the russian invasion of ukraine. saudi aramco — which is the world�*s most valuable company — has reported a net income of $39.5 billion so far this year, compared to 21.7 billion last year. the company says its earnings are at their highest since its record stock market listing in 2019. it�*s benefited from a sharp rise in crude oil prices, as well as an increase in production. a british man has broken the record for climbing the most summits of mount everest by a non—sherpa. kenton cool has now topped the world�*s highest peak 16 times. we start in the dark to allow enough light to come down. we had all the

way up. the video footage will be amazing. at the summit when we got there, you just see the sun coming up there, you just see the sun coming up over china and tibet. it has just been absolutely epic 8500 metres above sea level. yeah, partly i love the mountains, partly the sherpa people that i love with. get that mix, you have a perfect combination. we passed two bodies today. not wanting to be too morbid about it. the mountain does not take prisoners. it commands a huge amount of respect. i always say it is controlling the controllable, and thatis controlling the controllable, and that is what we have done today. we have controlled what we can control. but the things that are beyond that, hopefully we can manage them when they come up. but i have a climate

line—up for next year and i�*m looking forward coming back. ca nton ca nto n ca ll canton call celebrating their on everest. we will go back to the nato conference. joining virtually will bejens conference. joining virtually will be jens stoltenberg conference. joining virtually will bejens stoltenberg the nato secretary—general. as soon as that gets under way, we will bring it to you on bbc news. my colleague lewis vaughanjones will be here just a few minutes to accompany you through the afternoon. thank you very much a being with me this morning. here come the foreign minister annalena baerbock, who is there along with jens stoltenberg. here�*s what she has to stay. jens stoltenberg joining the event remotely. the former norwegian foreign minister and secretary—general of nato, at least until the end of this year. let�*s join annalena baerbock and

jens stoltenberg. let's join annalena baerbock and jens stoltenberg.— let's join annalena baerbock and jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i was not able _ jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i was not able to _ jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i was not able to attend _ jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i was not able to attend in - jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i was not able to attend in person l jens stoltenberg. unfortunately, i. was not able to attend in person due to covid, but let me start by thanking annalena for hosting all of the ministers for a free—flowing and constructive political discussion among the ministers. germany is a staunch defender of the transatlantic bond, and at this turning point for our security, it is more important than ever that europe and north america continue to stand united. last night, finland and sweden updated ministers on their possible applications for nato membership. it is up to them to decide if they want to join nato. we

will respect whatever decision they make. because all sovereign nations have the right to choose their own path. finland and sweden are nato�*s closest partners. if they decide to apply, this will be an historic moment. their membership in nato would increase our shared security. demonstrate that nato�*s door is open, and that aggression does not pgy- open, and that aggression does not pay. today, allies discussed our strong support for ukraine. the further strengthening of nato and the long applications of the war on including our future stance towards russia. russian�*s war in ukraine is

not going as moscow had planned. they failed to take kyiv, they are pulling back from around kharkiv, the major offensive in donbas has stalled. russia is not achieving its strategic objectives. president putin wants ukraine defeated. nato down, north america and europe divided. but ukraine stands, nato is stronger than ever, europe and north america are solidly united. ukraine can win this war, ukrainians are bravely defending their homeland. to help them to do so, allies have committed and delivered security

assistance to ukraine worth billions of dollars. and over the years, nato allies have changed tens of thousands of ukrainian forces. all of this is making a big difference on the battlefield every day. we must continue to step up and sustain our military support to ukraine and build on the work of the ukraine support group, which recently met. ministers also discussed our upcoming madrid summit. we will make important decisions to reinforce nato�*s deterrence and defence to reflect the new security reality in europe, to further the support and engage with large partners near and far, and to adopt our next strategic concept, nato�*s blueprint for an age of strategic competition. annalena

baerbock, once again thank you for hosting the meeting and thank you for your strong personal commitment to our alliance. 0ver for your strong personal commitment to our alliance. over to you in berlin before we take some questions. berlin before we take some question— berlin before we take some cuestions. . ., ., ., ., questions. thanks a lot and thanks that we can — questions. thanks a lot and thanks that we can have _ questions. thanks a lot and thanks that we can have this _ questions. thanks a lot and thanks that we can have this virtually - questions. thanks a lot and thanks that we can have this virtually and | that we can have this virtually and still all— that we can have this virtually and still all the — that we can have this virtually and still all the best. that we can have this virtually and stillallthe best. it that we can have this virtually and still all the best. it was more than a pity— still all the best. it was more than a pity that — still all the best. it was more than a pity that you could notjoin us on today's— a pity that you could notjoin us on today's and — a pity that you could notjoin us on today's and yesterday's meeting. speaks — today's and yesterday's meeting. speaks german translation: delighted that we have been able to meet _ translation: delighted that we have been able to meet this _ translation: delighted that we have been able to meet this weekend - translation: delighted that we have been able to meet this weekend in - been able to meet this weekend in berlin, _ been able to meet this weekend in berlin, as— been able to meet this weekend in berlin, as member states of nato for an informal_ berlin, as member states of nato for an informal and formal exchange of views _ an informal and formal exchange of views i_ an informal and formal exchange of views i as— an informal and formal exchange of views. i as the host, an informal and formal exchange of views. ias the host, i an informal and formal exchange of views. i as the host, i was delighted to be able to welcome my colleagues here to berlin. as i

said. — colleagues here to berlin. as i said, informal is perhaps not what automatically springs to mind when you think— automatically springs to mind when you think of nato, but these times are different from what they do is to he _ are different from what they do is to he and — are different from what they do is to he and i— are different from what they do is to be and i believe that this was exactly— to be and i believe that this was exactly the right kind of meeting in this extremely different situation. it is really— this extremely different situation. it is really sad, yens, that you as secretary—general have not been able to attend _ secretary—general have not been able to attend in _ secretary—general have not been able to attend in person, although the meeting — to attend in person, although the meeting has basically been hosted and organised and prepared by nato. with the _ and organised and prepared by nato. with the g7 meeting and a nato meeting — with the g7 meeting and a nato meeting here in berlin and the upcoming meeting of eu foreign ministers — upcoming meeting of eu foreign ministers in brussels tomorrow, we have experienced a kind of sonic marathon, — have experienced a kind of sonic marathon, orare have experienced a kind of sonic marathon, or are experiencing such a marathon— marathon, or are experiencing such a marathon currently. we are aware of the terrible — marathon currently. we are aware of the terrible situation in ukraine, the terrible situation in ukraine, the fact— the terrible situation in ukraine, the fact that we are meeting here and have — the fact that we are meeting here and have met before we continue to meet _ and have met before we continue to meet is _ and have met before we continue to meet is an— and have met before we continue to meet is an expression of how united we are _

meet is an expression of how united we are this— meet is an expression of how united we are. this week and weekend, our discussions — we are. this week and weekend, our discussions very much under the impression — discussions very much under the impression of the terrible war being waged _ impression of the terrible war being waged in _ impression of the terrible war being waged in ukraine. it is a war in which— waged in ukraine. it is a war in which day— waged in ukraine. it is a war in which day in, day out, people are being _ which day in, day out, people are being killed, lives are being destroyed. let us not forget this for one — destroyed. let us not forget this for one second. we have discussed in a very— for one second. we have discussed in a very comprehensive and open manner about— a very comprehensive and open manner about the _ a very comprehensive and open manner about the developments on the ground~ — about the developments on the ground. we have analysed the situation, _ ground. we have analysed the situation, the development, and we discussed _ situation, the development, and we discussed how we continue to support ukraine _ discussed how we continue to support ukraine. and what we intend to do and will— ukraine. and what we intend to do and will be — ukraine. and what we intend to do and will be able to do in order to support— and will be able to do in order to support ukraine, and especially to support— support ukraine, and especially to support the people in ukraine. we agreed _ support the people in ukraine. we agreed that as far as our national efforts— agreed that as far as our national efforts are — agreed that as far as our national efforts are concerned, especially when _ efforts are concerned, especially when it _ efforts are concerned, especially when it comes to military support, we must _ when it comes to military support, we must not relent in our efforts. as long _ we must not relent in our efforts. as long as — we must not relent in our efforts. as long as ukraine need this support to be _ as long as ukraine need this support to be able _ as long as ukraine need this support to be able to defend itself. as

concerns _ to be able to defend itself. as concerns the efforts undertaken in the framework of our alliance, we will keep— the framework of our alliance, we will keep the ball rolling there too because _ will keep the ball rolling there too because we are all aware that this war will— because we are all aware that this war will not— because we are all aware that this war will not end any time soon. russia's— war will not end any time soon. russia's attack on ukraine russia's breach— russia's attack on ukraine russia's breach of— russia's attack on ukraine russia's breach of standards and norms of peaceful— breach of standards and norms of peaceful coexistence, especially the bridge _ peaceful coexistence, especially the bridge of— peaceful coexistence, especially the bridge of the european peaceful order, _ bridge of the european peaceful order, the deliberate destruction of humanitarian law constitutes a watershed moment for decades to come with regard _ watershed moment for decades to come with regard to the international security— with regard to the international security order. and it is also affecting _ security order. and it is also affecting the stability in the years to come — affecting the stability in the years to come. all of that has dramatically changed the security situation — dramatically changed the security situation in the atlantic area. and it will— situation in the atlantic area. and it will require far—reaching strategic responses on our part. to us in _ strategic responses on our part. to us in germany and to us in europe, it has— us in germany and to us in europe, it has been— us in germany and to us in europe, it has beena— us in germany and to us in europe, it has been a reminder of the value, the security—

it has been a reminder of the value, the security that the nato has four allies— the security that the nato has four allies in— the security that the nato has four allies in a — the security that the nato has four allies in a democracy and in freedom _ allies in a democracy and in freedom. after years in which some nato member states, includes germany, thought that nato was an outdated _ germany, thought that nato was an outdated and outgoing model, we have unfortunately been reminded in the most _ unfortunately been reminded in the most brutal way of white nato is so -- why— most brutal way of white nato is so -- why nato — most brutal way of white nato is so —— why nato is so important as it offensive — —— why nato is so important as it offensive and security union. we all experience — offensive and security union. we all experience on a daily basis, and for the very— experience on a daily basis, and for the very first — experience on a daily basis, and for the very first time that security, peace _ the very first time that security, peace and — the very first time that security, peace and above all freedom is not something — peace and above all freedom is not something that is bestowed upon us from heaven above and guaranteed until kingdom come. i have to say this is— until kingdom come. i have to say this is not— until kingdom come. i have to say this is not an _ until kingdom come. i have to say this is not an easy realisation, it is indeed — this is not an easy realisation, it is indeed a — this is not an easy realisation, it is indeed a painful realisation, because — is indeed a painful realisation, because it _ is indeed a painful realisation, because it is so much easier, even if you _ because it is so much easier, even if you may— because it is so much easier, even if you may disagree with your friends — if you may disagree with your friends and neighbours every once in a while, _ friends and neighbours every once in a while, to— friends and neighbours every once in a while, tojust live

friends and neighbours every once in a while, to just live peacefully with _ a while, to just live peacefully with them. it is easier for your everyday— with them. it is easier for your everyday life, easier for diplomatic efforts _ everyday life, easier for diplomatic efforts that you undertake, easier for the _ efforts that you undertake, easier for the economic interaction. but it is not _ for the economic interaction. but it is not a _ for the economic interaction. but it is not a response at a moment like this, _ is not a response at a moment like this, it _ is not a response at a moment like this, it is _ is not a response at a moment like this, it is not — is not a response at a moment like this, it is not time for easy answers _ this, it is not time for easy answers. right now, nato is an alliance — answers. right now, nato is an alliance is— answers. right now, nato is an alliance is more relevant and more important — alliance is more relevant and more important than ever. it embodies for all of— important than ever. it embodies for all of us _ important than ever. it embodies for all of us freedom and security. and thus it _ all of us freedom and security. and thus it is _ all of us freedom and security. and thus it is good, secretary—general jens, _ thus it is good, secretary—general jens, that — thus it is good, secretary—general jens, that we have had this informal meeting _ jens, that we have had this informal meeting in— jens, that we have had this informal meeting in the run—up to prepare the upcoming _ meeting in the run—up to prepare the upcoming nato summit in madrid. because _ upcoming nato summit in madrid. because it — upcoming nato summit in madrid. because it has bestowed upon nato a new dimension of importance and relevance — new dimension of importance and relevance. if we tackle this challenge, if we formulate and devise — challenge, if we formulate and devise a — challenge, if we formulate and devise a strategic concept that responds to the changes, nato will not only— responds to the changes, nato will not only be relevant for our societies, _ not only be relevant for our societies, our societies and globally— societies, our societies and globally will have changed. it will

have become an alliance of those who should _ have become an alliance of those who should be _ have become an alliance of those who should be able to defend themselves, but it will— should be able to defend themselves, but it will also become alliance of those _ but it will also become alliance of those who — but it will also become alliance of those who represent the same values and are _ those who represent the same values and are ready to stand up for them. russia's_ and are ready to stand up for them. russia's war — and are ready to stand up for them. russia's war of aggression has achieved — russia's war of aggression has achieved what russia's president has tried to _ achieved what russia's president has tried to avoid — it has impressed upon _ tried to avoid — it has impressed upon all— tried to avoid — it has impressed upon all of— tried to avoid — it has impressed upon all of us who share common values _ upon all of us who share common values and — upon all of us who share common values and principles they need to stand _ values and principles they need to stand united, and it has brought us together— stand united, and it has brought us together and reminded us of the part that nato— together and reminded us of the part that nato plays, of its importance. what _ that nato plays, of its importance. what russia has tried to prevent. it has created — what russia has tried to prevent. it has created a situation where possibly— has created a situation where possibly two new members willjoin nato, _ possibly two new members willjoin nato, two _ possibly two new members willjoin nato, two countries that, before the 24th of— nato, two countries that, before the 24th of february, not planned to do so. 24th of february, not planned to do so if— 24th of february, not planned to do so if the _ 24th of february, not planned to do so. if the people of sweden, finland desire _ so. if the people of sweden, finland desire to _ so. if the people of sweden, finland desire to become members of nato, this is— desire to become members of nato, this is an _ desire to become members of nato, this is an expression of our

fundamental, a fundamental change in security— fundamental, a fundamental change in security perception, fundamental change _ security perception, fundamental change in — security perception, fundamental change in our security, peaceful order— change in our security, peaceful order in— change in our security, peaceful order in europe. as i said this morning. _ order in europe. as i said this morning, ladies and gentlemen, i repeat— morning, ladies and gentlemen, i repeat this — morning, ladies and gentlemen, i repeat this because i'm deeply convinced of this, sweden and finland — convinced of this, sweden and finland are not our friends, they are not— finland are not our friends, they are not only our allies, they already— are not only our allies, they already have been for quite a long time members of the european family. and this _ time members of the european family. and this is _ time members of the european family. and this is why they can rely on our full support — and this is why they can rely on our full support for any decision that the will— full support for any decision that the will and may take in regard to that security. the doors of nato are open _ that security. the doors of nato are open to _ that security. the doors of nato are open to them, and if they decide to step over— open to them, and if they decide to step over the doorstep, we will receive — step over the doorstep, we will receive them with open arms. sweden and finland _ receive them with open arms. sweden and finland are politically and militarily ready for accession, there — militarily ready for accession, there is— militarily ready for accession, there is no doubt about that. the two foreign ministers who join us yesterday— two foreign ministers who join us yesterday were very clear on this. they— yesterday were very clear on this. they are — yesterday were very clear on this. they are members of the european union _ they are members of the european union and — they are members of the european union and the ecc, there forces are

already— union and the ecc, there forces are already integrated into the structures of nato to a very large degree — structures of nato to a very large degree. both countries fulfil all standards of nato and both countries are already _ standards of nato and both countries are already participating in a nato missions~ — are already participating in a nato missions. there accession would further— missions. there accession would further strengthen our alliance, they are — further strengthen our alliance, they are practically already members of nato _ they are practically already members of nato without having member status~ — of nato without having member status. without having a membership card. status. without having a membership card i_ status. without having a membership card i know— status. without having a membership card. i know that as we all talked about— card. i know that as we all talked about this — card. i know that as we all talked about this yesterday with the foreign — about this yesterday with the foreign ministers, that this is also a very— foreign ministers, that this is also a very emotional moment for sweden and finland. — a very emotional moment for sweden and finland, for the very first time — and finland, for the very first time this— and finland, for the very first time, this would bring together all nordic— time, this would bring together all nordic states under one security umbrella — nordic states under one security umbrella. a development which, because — umbrella. a development which, because until recently they did not have a _ because until recently they did not have a majority for such a decision in both— have a majority for such a decision in both countries, would have been unthinkable six months ago. and inconceivable. it is a moment for the other— inconceivable. it is a moment for the other nordic countries who already— the other nordic countries who already are members of the alliance

to reflect _ already are members of the alliance to reflect upon. the people of finland — to reflect upon. the people of finland and sweden, who rightly say that our— finland and sweden, who rightly say that our political home is the european _ that our political home is the european union, are peaceful order is based _ european union, are peaceful order is based on — european union, are peaceful order is based on the helsinki act on the otc, _ is based on the helsinki act on the otc, to _ is based on the helsinki act on the otc, to those people i would like to say the _ otc, to those people i would like to say the same is true for us. and it is also _ say the same is true for us. and it is also true — say the same is true for us. and it is also true to _ say the same is true for us. and it is also true to say that with nato there _ is also true to say that with nato there is— is also true to say that with nato there is no— is also true to say that with nato there is no either or. there is no contradiction here. membership in nato is _ contradiction here. membership in nato is an— contradiction here. membership in nato is an expression of the implementation of the right to freely— implementation of the right to freely choose one's alliance, the sovereign — freely choose one's alliance, the sovereign right of any individual nation~ — sovereign right of any individual nation. the eu and the oec, nato embodies— nation. the eu and the oec, nato embodies the primacy of the political— embodies the primacy of the political situations and evidence a rules— political situations and evidence a rules —based international order. this morning, it was clear, and our friends _ this morning, it was clear, and our friends in _ this morning, it was clear, and our friends in helsinki and stockholm, should _ friends in helsinki and stockholm, should they decide in favour of joining, — should they decide in favour of joining, which i think is not to be excluded, —

joining, which i think is not to be excluded, completely, should they take that _ excluded, completely, should they take that decision, we in germany will do _ take that decision, we in germany will do whatever we can in order to make _ will do whatever we can in order to make sure — will do whatever we can in order to make sure that this sensitive transition _ make sure that this sensitive transition from the moment the application has been submitted is as short as _ application has been submitted is as short as possible. so that there is no in _ short as possible. so that there is no in between, no transition or grade — no in between, no transition or grade phase at all. in fact again was another topic we talked about yesterday— was another topic we talked about yesterday in greater detail with our colleagues from sweden and finland. we basically see eye to eye on this. this is— we basically see eye to eye on this. this is why— we basically see eye to eye on this. this is why the federal government will proceed along the lines of a fast-track— will proceed along the lines of a fast—track procedure. we will use all means— fast—track procedure. we will use all means at our disposal available to us, _ all means at our disposal available to us, having a cabinet decision and the shortest— to us, having a cabinet decision and the shortest delay, call the special sessions _ the shortest delay, call the special sessions of the federal parliament to ensure — sessions of the federal parliament to ensure that this process of ratification takes place quickly, not only— ratification takes place quickly, not only being set in motion but also carried out quickly and that the iegai— also carried out quickly and that the legal foundations are prepared so that— the legal foundations are prepared so that we can be amongst the first to rectify _ so that we can be amongst the first to rectify i—

so that we can be amongst the first to rectify. i know that we enjoy, and i'm — to rectify. i know that we enjoy, and i'm very grateful, that we enjoy the support. we hope in so doing we will also _ the support. we hope in so doing we will also produce traction for the process— will also produce traction for the process of— will also produce traction for the process of ratification of sweden and finland accession of the members of nato _ and finland accession of the members of nato. other countries have expect their readiness to also respond quickly — their readiness to also respond quickly it— their readiness to also respond quickly. it is not as if we have taking — quickly. it is not as if we have taking any— quickly. it is not as if we have taking any decisions, this has been an informal— taking any decisions, this has been an informal meeting, but we agreed amongst _ an informal meeting, but we agreed amongst ourselves to send out a message — amongst ourselves to send out a message to sweden. sweden and finland. — message to sweden. sweden and finland. if— message to sweden. sweden and finland, if you are ready, we are ready _ thank you. turkey's position has probably— thank you. turkey's position has probably also figured dominantly. the turkish finish two foreign minister— the turkish finish two foreign minister demanded guarantees was up are you _ minister demanded guarantees was up are you ready to agree to these

conditions?—