Updated 10:38 | Posted 10:31 am
The Swedish NATO application has received the go-ahead from Turkey.
Even Hungary sees the ratification by Sweden as “a technicality”.
This now increases security for Sweden, according to the expert.
The announcement that Turkey approves Sweden’s NATO application came on Monday evening.
Half a day later, Hungary as the last member state also announced that the Swedish ratification is only “a technicality”, according to the Reuters news agency.
With a bit of luck, Sweden can thus be approved as members already this week.
But the Turkish acquiescence has had a tortuous path, and comes after tough negotiations that ultimately resulted in a number of agreed terms.
“Buzzed quite healthy”
Reactions to yesterday’s yes have been mixed, with many experts questioning what the terms will actually mean in practice.
Former Turkish ambassador Michael Sahlin states that there are divided opinions on whether the agreement with Turkey is a good deal for Sweden.
– This is a bit sensitive to talk about. For the Swedish government, it is extremely important to see this as a success and to minimize risks and maximize what it has given.
– But then you can warn about the disadvantages. We have been doing quite well.
Do you think Sweden has agreed to too much?
– I avoid answering that question.
One who, however, is positive about Sweden now being allowed to join the defense alliance is lieutenant colonel Joakim Paasikivi.
He believes that security will now increase, and that the announcement means a big difference not least for Sweden but also for the entire region and NATO.
– We become predictable in a completely different way throughout our region, and that raises the threshold for possible attacks from Russia.
“Has been an uncertain point”
When asked if it has been uncertain before, the answer is yes.
– A non-allied Sweden has been an uncertain point, at least for the alliance. We have been very close to NATO but not members. This means that it has not been possible to fully trust us. The freedom of action has meant that we have been able to say no.
However, being members of an alliance means certain commitments, for better or for worse.
– Instead of just defending ourselves, we must also protect the entire alliance and the entire alliance defend us. It is a collective defence, he says and continues:
– If we are attacked by an outside power, 31 countries will come to our aid, and we are expected to help the others. Here there is a big difference.
– We must therefore be prepared to send bandages if necessary, to help others.