Sweden presents NATO membership bill to Riksdag
The Swedish government presented its NATO membership bill to the Riksdag on Wednesday, saying it was another important step on the road to joining the western alliance.
“Becoming a member of NATO is the best way to safeguard Sweden’s security and, in the spirit of solidarity, contribute to strengthening the security of the entire Euro-Atlantic area,” Tobias Billstrom, Sweden’s Foreign Affairs Minister said in a news release.
The government said the bill proposes the Riksdag approve the agreement and its incorporation into Swedish law. Once the body has approved it, the government can go ahead with Sweden’s accession to the alliance.
The move came on the second day of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg’s two-day trip to Stockholm.
Finland and Sweden made the decision to join NATO in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and stressed the desire to enter together.
Turkey, Hungary delaying process
NATO approved their applications and the accession protocols for both countries were signed on July 5.
Of the alliance’s 30 member countries, 28 ratified the protocols, with Turkey and Hungary the only holdouts.
Turkey has not yet given a date when it expects to approve the Nordic countries’ memberships. Ankara says Finland, and particularly Sweden, harbour Kurdish militants that are wanted in Turkey.
Hungary’s stalling has been attributed to past criticism of Budapest’s rule of law and commitment to democracy. Hungary recently said it will ratify the protocols but has not given a date.
Turkey has not yet given a date when it expects to approve the Nordic countries’ memberships. Ankara says Finland, and particularly Sweden, harbour Kurdish militants that are wanted in Turkey.
Thursday meeting with Turkey
Stoltenberg has convened a meeting March 9 between Turkey, Sweden and Finland at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
“Sweden and Finland’s membership will make our Alliance stronger with highly capable forces, an advanced defence industry, and years of experience training and operating together with Allies.” Stoltenberg said in a news release on Wednesday.
“It is inconceivable that NATO would not act if your security was threatened.”
Finland’s parliament approved the country’s NATO membership on March 1 with a vote of 184-7.
Write to Eilís Quinn at eilis.quinn@cbc.ca
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Finland: Russian shoppers take Norway’s Schengen shortcut to Arctic Finland, Yle News
Greenland: Historic Hans Island agreement with Canada moves from Copenhagen to Greenland, Eye on the Arctic
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Norway: NATO will make us stronger, says Nordic defense chiefs, The Independent Barents Observer
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