NATO “gold card” for Sweden?
Sweden can move even closer to NATO, with an agreement expected to be signed at a summit on Thursday.
While not a NATO member, Sweden is in the alliance’s Partnership for Peace group, and has participated by sending troops to countries like Afghanistan.
Now Svenska Dagbladet reports Sweden will enter a top-tier group of countries with “enhanced opportunities for cooperation.” Finland, Georgia, Australia and Jordan will also get this status.
Defence minister Karin Enström said to Swedish news agency TT late on Tuesday that Sweden is going to develop and improve its cooperation with NATO, and the summit meeting in Wales will be an opportunity to discuss the possibilities.
Sweden is also expected to get “host nation status” meaning NATO forces could easily be offered help on Swedish land, such as refuelling.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Will Russia’s actions in Ukraine affect relations in the Arctic Council?, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: Ex-President Ahtisaari calls on Finland to join NATO with Sweden, Yle News
Greenland: Air Greenland nixes helicopter order , Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: Asia and the Arctic in Eurasian Geography and Economics, Blog by Mia Bennett
Norway: Nordics rethink security after Ukraine crisis, Yle News
Sweden: Sweden providing jets to NATO, Radio Sweden
Russia: Blog – Russia puts countries on edge in the Arctic, Cryopolitics
United States: Can an aggressive Russia remain U.S.’s nice Arctic neighbor?, Alaska Public Radio Network
