On Tuesday, Sweden’s Riksdag will vote on the controversial military cooperation agreement between Sweden and the United States.
It gives American military access to Swedish water and Swedish airspace, 17 strategically important military bases, naval bases and air bases.
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“Uncertain what Sweden can stop”
Absent writings about nuclear weapons in the agreement is one of the points that critics have raised and compared the Swedish agreement with how Norway and Denmark have formulated themselves.
Another criticism has been that American personnel will not obey Swedish law.
– It is highly uncertain whether Sweden can stop such activities. There should have been a stronger express right of veto, says Pål Wrange, professor of international law at Stockholm University.
– It is uncertain what the US may request in the future. The Americans have been given carte blanche, says Hans Blix, former foreign minister and head of the UN weapons inspectors.
“To be done with Swedish consent”
Defense Minister Pål Jonson (M) believes that the US does not get too much to say, but that Sweden decides for itself:
– The agreement contributes to stability and security and reduces the risk of an armed attack. What is done in the agreement must be done with Swedish consent. Sweden is a sovereign country and decides for itself, he says.
Hear more of the minister’s response to the criticism in the clip above.
See the entire Agenda interview with Pål Jonson (M) on SVT Play.
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Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT & Deisya Hermansyah