Canada became the first NATO member to formally approve Finland's and Sweden's bids to join the alliance, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau is urging other allies to complete their own ratification processes as quickly as possible. “This brings the two countries a step closer to full membership,” he said in a statement. “Their membership will make NATO stronger.” 

Helsinki and Stockholm applied to join NATO in May.

“We call on all NATO members to move swiftly to complete their ratification processes to limit opportunities for interference by adversaries,” Trudeau’s statement said Tuesday.