Swedish flag now flying at NATO headquarters as new member

The flag of Sweden was hoisted this Monday at the headquarters of NATO in Brussels and at its headquarters in Europe It is North America in a ceremony to celebrate that country’s official entry into Atlantic Alliance in which there was no lack of references to the war in Ukraine.

The flag was raised in the circle in which the flags of the other 31 allies are located – between that of Spain and that of Türkiye-, in front of the organization’s headquarters, in a ceremony in the rain with the presence of the organization’s secretary general NATO, Jens Stoltenberg; the Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristerssonand the crown princess Victory in Swedenin addition to the ambassadors of member countries.

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“The accession of Sweden proves once again that the door of NATO Still open. Nobody can close it. Each nation has the right to choose its own path. And we all chose the path of freedom and democracy. The brave people of Ukraine are fighting for these values ​​right now”, stated Stoltenberg during the ceremony.

The Norwegian politician stated that during the 75-year history of alliance“the transatlantic link between Europe It is North America “It guaranteed our freedom and security.”

“As a Nordic friend and neighbor, I am very proud that Sweden is now joining us in this essential mission. Today, as we raise the Swedish flag, we are united and in solidarity. wCommitted to protecting and defending each other. All for one and one for all”, he emphasized.

Kristersson I say that Swedenwhich last week he concluded in washington the legal procedures necessary for accession, “He is a proud member of the NATOthe most successful peace and security organization that has ever existed.”

“We are now an ally among allies after more than 200 years without military alignment. It is a historic step, but also a very natural one”he assured.

The president indicated that they have been preparing for this for decades and, in detail, during the last two years, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“With this accession, Sweden returned home, the home of U.S. security cooperation. democraciesthe home of security cooperation for our good neighbors”, he concluded.

Sweden applied to join the NATO in May 2022 alongside Finland, which became a full member last year, but the reluctance of two of the organization’s members, Türkiye It is Hungarythey delayed entry for almost two years.

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In a press statement alongside the Swedish leader before the ceremony, Stoltenberg guaranteed that with the entry of Sweden “geographical changes”, because they no longer focused on the vulnerabilities of the Baltic region and now have “two important allies also on the western side of the Baltic Sea”.

“Sweden is safer within the NATO that outside of her and NATO is stronger with Sweden“, summarized Stoltenbergand praised that country for its cutting-edge capabilities, a strong military industry and which spends more than 2% of GDP on defense.

Kristersson maintained that “The security situation in our region has not been so serious since Second World War”, and predicted that Russia “will continue to be a threat to Euro-Atlantic security in the future.”

“In view of this, Sweden requested entry into the alliance for the defense of NATO not just to obtain security but also to provide it“, to the point.

In any case, Stoltenberg indicated that the NATO It has no plans to expand the number of allies that have nuclear weapons or to send a battalion to Sweden like those it maintains in the Baltic countries.

Kristersson said they fully understand the need for all defense capabilities of the NATOincluding nuclear strategy, but specified that they see no need for Sweden to host a permanent base or nuclear weapons on its territory in peacetime.

Source: Elcomercio

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I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.