Leaders of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) formally invited Finland and Sweden to join the alliance, according to a declaration released by the organization on Wednesday. 

The decision came after Turkey inked a deal to lift its veto on the two Nordic countries joining NATO. 

The organization also endorsed a new Strategic Concept, reaffirmed responsibility of ensuring its collective defense, the declaration said. 

On Ukraine, NATO has decided on a strengthened package of support, accelerating delivery of non-lethal defense equipment and modernizing its defense sector. 

(Cover: Leaders pose for the family photo during the NATO Summit in Madrid, Spain on June 29, 2022. /CFP)