Sweden Officially Joins, NATO Military Alliance.
On March 7, Sweden officially joined NATO,
ending centuries of neutrality.
CNBC reports that after almost two years
since first applying, Sweden has become
the military alliance's 32nd member.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
confirmed the news, saying that Sweden
was “taking its rightful place at our table.”.
Sweden’s accession makes
NATO stronger, Sweden safer,
and the whole Alliance more secure.
I look forward to raising their
flag at NATO HQ on Monday, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General, via CNBC.
Earlier this week, Swedish Prime Minister
Ulf Kristersson visited Washington
to deliver the final documents. .
CNBC reports that Sweden's
previous policy of neutrality dates
back to the Napoleonic wars.
In order to join the military alliance, all existing
members must approve any new members, which
ultimately delayed the process of Sweden's accession.
Both Hungary and Turkey opposed
Sweden's bid to join the alliance, citing
varying reasons for delaying their approval.
Both Hungary and Turkey opposed
Sweden's bid to join the alliance, citing
varying reasons for delaying their approval.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said the
country opposed Sweden joining NATO based on
its criticism of the state of democracy in Hungary.
Turkey opposed Sweden's bid based on claims that
the country was too tolerant of groups viewed as
security threats to the Turkish government.