Sweden insists on joining NATO despite lagging behind Finland in bid

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
20 Mar 2023 13:42

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom insists that Sweden must continue to strive to join NATO and that talks about a Plan B are "unfortunate".

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom attends the Hanalys Foreign Policy Forum in Helsinki, Finland, February 7, 2023 (Reuters).

In May 2022, both Finland and Sweden abandoned their non-alignment policy and jointly applied for NATO memberships. However, Sweden's bid had stalled far behind as Finland's bid appeared more likely looking.

Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom argued that despite delays, the country must join NATO. Billstorm said, "It would have been very unfortunate if you were to talk about a plan B at all, as it would undermine the whole point of becoming a NATO member."

Significantly, Billstrom admitted that his country "has a longer way to go than Finland," yet explained that he was "completely convinced" that Sweden would join the alliance in its upcoming summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, later in July.

In Sweden, the current leader of the opposition, Social Democrats, and the former Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson blamed Billstorm for allowing himself to be pressured by Turkey, a move he considered to be the cause for Sweden's delay.

Andersson, on the other hand, told Swedish media "the risk is that you send a signal that you are prepared to give more."

It is important to note that Stockholm has acceded to a number of Turkey's requests, even at the expense of giving up what it previously portrayed as issues of principle and human rights. Sweden, among other things, renounced any assistance for the PPK, approved the transfer of weapons to Turkey, and extradited a number of individuals on Ankara's wanted list.

However, Ankara suspended negotiations with Sweden in outrage following rallies attacking the Turkish leadership in Stockholm and the burning of the holy Quran outside Turkey's embassy, but the talks resumed in Brussels on March 9.

Turkey and Hungary are the only NATO members still to ratify Sweden and Finland's bids, which must be accepted by all 30 existing members of the military alliance.