17. 05. 2022. 00:00   >>  17:29

SWEDISH CHIEF OF DIPLOMACY

Linde signed application for NATO membership

Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ann Linde signed the application in Stockholm for Swedish NATO accession, Swedish public service SVT reports.

"The membership request will be sent to the Secretary-General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg. I feel the strength, this is a very serious step. We came to what we think is best for Sweden," An Linde said.

She added that the application document, together with the request from Finland, will be delivered to NATO soon.

Sweden Prime Minister Magdalena Anderssonyesterdayannounced a candidacy for membership after a meeting in parliament.

For decades have Sweden and Finland had a neutral foreign policy attitude in the region, but the current war of Russia and Ukraine which began on February 24, provoked a change in their approach, with both public and most politicians willing to enter NATO alliance.