NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says in an interview with that Finland and Sweden became NATO members in record time, even though Sweden had to wait longer than expected.
Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes that Sweden’s NATO membership makes Sweden and Finland safer countries. At the same time, NATO becomes stronger.
– NATO will become an even stronger alliance when Sweden and Finland bring to the military alliance well-trained and led forces and advanced military capacity such as fighter jets, tanks and other important capacities for land, sea and air forces, Stoltenberg lists.
The security of Sweden and Finland is emphasized by NATO’s security guarantees. An attack on one country is an attack on all.
On the day of the ceremony of Sweden’s accession to NATO, Stoltenberg repeated several times the familiar phrase from the Musketeers: One for all and all for one.
Sweden, together with Finland in the north, has great strategic importance for NATO due to its location. It helps the defense of the Baltic Sea and Baltic countries, says Stoltenberg.
The researchers emphasize Sweden’s role as a hub and logistics center. If Finland or the Baltic countries were to go to war, maintenance and the transfer of troops would take place through Sweden. In addition, Gotland’s location in the middle of the Baltic Sea is important.
An active role for Sweden in NATO
Stoltenberg believes that Sweden will take an active and strong role in NATO.
– Sweden has shown in other international organizations that it takes international cooperation and obligations seriously.
He reminds that Sweden invests more than two percent of its gross domestic product in defense, which is NATO’s goal for member countries. Finland also meets the goal. However, Sweden has had to tighten up quickly, as its defenses were reduced after the Cold War and conscription was ended in 2010.
In Finland, NATO membership has seemed quiet after the exciting membership negotiations. At the same time, we have also been waiting for Sweden to become a member.
Next, Sweden will join NATO’s military planning, where logistics and command chains are built.
– Swedish officers can join NATO’s command structures, which is the backbone of NATO’s common defense, Stoltenberg says.
NATO also has a goal for military equipment, where it is agreed what kind of weapon systems each member country should have. When weapon systems are coordinated, it is easier to work together on land, sea and air.
The “Kilmari Union” of defense
– Scandinavia now has such a strong defense for the first time since the Kalmar Union, when NATO includes Sweden, Finland, Norway and Denmark, says Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
The Kalmar Union was an alliance of Denmark, Norway and Sweden in the years 1397–1523.
Finland’s and Sweden’s accession to membership was blocked by Turkey and Hungary. Both wanted to interfere with their own goals in the negotiations; Turkey especially wanted fighter jets from the United States, and Hungary tried to match its EU demands. Hungary got no concessions.
However, NATO has been able to consolidate the front against Russia.
– NATO’s spirit of unity is very good. NATO has shown, especially after Russia attacked Ukraine, that we are united in supporting Ukraine. Hardly anyone could have expected such strong support, Stoltenberg thinks.
– At the same time, we take care that the war does not spread elsewhere. Putin sees that if he attacks a NATO country, all member countries will fight back.
The Secretary General admits that it is not always easy to reach a consensus among a large coalition:
– There are different views among the 32 member countries, so sometimes it takes time to reach an agreement. Although Sweden’s accession took a little longer than desired, it was nevertheless a very quick process compared to many other membership negotiations in NATO’s history
Jens Stoltenberg’s term ends in the fall and the search for a successor is underway. The strongest candidate is the Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte. Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orban has announced that he opposes Rutte’s appointment. Stoltenberg does not comment further on the matter.
– I am sure that there will be good candidates and a good successor for the position.