Sweden will officially become NATO’s 32nd member tomorrow, Thursday. The defense alliance expects that the admission process for the Scandinavian country can be completed during a visit by a Swedish delegation to Washington.
One of the remaining steps for Sweden to join NATO is for the instrument of accession to be filed with the US Department of State. This is the so-called depository of NATO’s founding treaty and is responsible for registering documents relating to the so-called North Atlantic Treaty.
Political leadership in Washington
The Swedish government confirmed on Wednesday that Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Foreign Minister Tobias Billström will be in Washington on Thursday. However, she initially declined to comment on the possible completion of the accession process.
One reason considered in alliance circles was that the document documenting Hungary’s consent still had to be officially submitted. Hungarian President Tamas Sulyok only signed it on Tuesday. The necessary parliamentary decision had previously been postponed for a long time.
The approval ultimately only came after Kristersson visited Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán. Several agreements on arms cooperation were announced. Hungary is purchasing four new Jas 39 Gripen fighter jets from Sweden.
Sweden’s road to NATO
Before Hungary, Turkey in particular had blocked Sweden’s accession to NATO for a long time. Ultimately, the country only gave the necessary permission after Sweden promised greater efforts in the fight against terrorist organizations. Ankara was particularly concerned about the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), which is also classified as a terrorist organization by the EU. The US government has also promoted a process to sell F-16 fighter jets to Turkey.
Impressed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Sweden decided to apply for NATO membership in 2022, after many years of freedom from military alliances. Finland was also there, after being welcomed into the alliance as the 31st member in April last year. According to information from the German news agency, a ceremony is planned in Brussels next Monday to welcome Sweden.
Source: Krone
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