0
Swedish Government Considering Joining NATO?
SourceThe Swedish government is considering applying for membership of the NATO Response Force as part of maintaining continued interoperability, Swedish defence officials have made clear.
"We are prepared to consider this," said Swedish Defence Minister Karin Enstrom.
Even the opposition, Social Democrats which have previously opposed to such membership, seem to be moderating their mind and want to discuss the issue.
This follows NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, reaction yesterday in Sweden when he said that NATO will not assist Sweden as Sweden continues to remain outside the organisation. He said so as he visited the People and Defend national conference in Sälen, Sweden Monday.
"I think everyone in Sweden knows that there is a difference between being and not being a member. You cannot be outside NATO, while taking advantage of all what NATO provides," said Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "Sweden should not count on NATO's help if it continues to stay outside." he said yesterday.
NATO Response Force, (NRF), can deploy 13,000 troops in a crisis somewhere in the world. Finland has already joined, while Sweden persistently remained outside.
Swedish Social Democratic Defence spokesman, Peter Hultqvist, seems to see the benefits of a Swedish NRF membership.
"We think it is important that Finland and Sweden have a better coordinated approach and we take the same position as we are militarily nonaligned," he says.
"I am willing to have an open mind and examine what this could mean," he said.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen after taking part yesterday in People and Defend national conference in Sälen, Sweden had lunch with Swedish Defense Minister, Karin Enstrom.
When NATO had settled its military operation in Afghanistan in 2014, the NRF will become increasingly important to practice and coordinate with NATO, according to the former Danish Prime Minister. "It is a Swedish decision whether to participate or not, but the possibility remains open," said Anders Fogh Rasmussen.
The Swedish government was interested in taking part in the initiative in 2008, to participate in the NRF. But then, the Social Democrats rejected such involvement arguing that the defence budget is not enough and that it would make Sweden one step closer to NATO membership.
Estonian Foreign Minister, Urmas Paet feels that Sweden is already behaving as a NATO member.
"Some, including myself, believe that Sweden and Finland are already de facto members of NATO," he said at the conference. Rasmussen pointed out that membership for Sweden would give defence guarantees and a seat at the table where decisions are made.
Fogh Rasmussen said that all NATO countries would heartily welcome Finland and Sweden if they applied for membership.
"Sweden is actually one of our most active partners," says Rasmussen. According to him, a Swedish membership application would be dealt with quickly, as the country is well prepared. The fact that Sweden spends less on defence than what NATO recommends does not affect its membership application. Fogh Rasmussen said that many NATO members have not reached that proposed spending goal.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Baluarte
Österreich
Bookmarks