Sweden “made a free, democratic, sovereign and united choice to join NATO”The Swedish president announced that, together with North American Secretary of State Antony Blinken, he handed over the instrument of accession to NATO, formalizing his country's entry as the organization's 32nd member.
“We are a safe country from now on”The Swedish head of government also wrote on social media.
Sweden is now a member of NATO. Thank you to all our friendly countries for welcoming us as the 32nd member. We will strive for unity, solidarity and burden-sharing, and fully adhere to the values of the Washington Accord: freedom, democracy, individual liberty and the rule of law. Stronger together.
— Swedish PM (@SwedishPM) March 7, 2024
Antony Blinken characterized it as “a historic moment for Sweden”.
“It's history for the alliance. It's history for the transatlantic relationship.” He said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger and bigger than ever.”
The Hungarian Ambassador to the United States handed official documents to the State Department in Washington confirming Sweden's entry into NATO, which was recently approved by the Hungarian Parliament.
“Today I instructed our country's ambassador in Washington to hand over the instrument of ratification, as Hungary has completed all the tasks for Sweden's accession to NATO”, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijardo announced.
“It's official, Sweden is NATO's 32nd member and has taken its rightful place on our side. Sweden's membership makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer, and the entire alliance.Jens Stoltenberg wrote on Social Network X (formerly Twitter).
“I am looking forward to hoisting the flag [da Suécia] At headquarters [da NATO] on Monday”he added.
It's official – #Sweden He is now the 32nd member #I was born, takes its rightful place at our table. Sweden's accession makes NATO stronger, makes Sweden safer, and makes the entire alliance more secure. I look forward to raising their flag at NATO HQ on Monday.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) March 7, 2024
This ends what was supposed to be an “express” process, but took 22 months due to Turkish and Hungarian reluctance over Sweden's accession. Swedish Prime Minister Ulk Christensen and Swedish Foreign Minister Tobias Billström traveled to Washington on Wednesday to deposit the NATO membership protocol with the State Department.
Sweden joins its Finnish neighbors who joined the transatlantic alliance in April last year after both submitted membership applications in May 2022, months after Russia invaded Ukraine.
In doing so, both countries abandoned the long-standing military neutrality that had been a hallmark of Nordic foreign policy for the past two centuries in direct response to Moscow's growing threat to the international security landscape. Attack on Ukraine.
It should be noted that Sweden's accession to NATO was prompted by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and was achieved only after two years of intensive negotiations.
with agencies
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