It has now been decided in the Riksdag that Sweden will join NATO when all NATO members have ratified our application. It is a change of course that will seriously affect Sweden’s international independence, says the former Social Democratic Foreign Minister Margot Wallström in SVT’s broadcast.
– We will no longer be perceived as a brave country that can make independent decisions. But we will be one of the NATO members and will be viewed with more skepticism by the countries that prefer to cooperate with countries that are militarily non-aligned. It’s just to state, says Margot Wallström.
Bildt: No major difference
Former moderate Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Carl Bildt believes that the decision is historic, but unlike Wallström, he believes that the decision will not affect the view of Sweden in the outside world.
– We have gained an identity on good grounds as an active member of the EU. The decisive step away from the old policy of neutrality was taken when we joined the EU. Then the freedom of political alliance ended. Now the freedom of military alliance ends, but that step is probably perceived by large parts of the outside world as considerably much smaller, says Bildt.
“Ignored by Erdogan”
Hungary and Turkey still have to ratify Sweden’s application before we can become members. Margot Wallström’s advice to the government is to follow the example of Finland in the NATO process and keep a cool head.
– And not find yourself being ignored by Erdogan and others who want to use this for their own agendas, says Wallström.
Carl Bildt does not agree with that criticism.
– It goes back to the fact that we have a different history than Finland. Things happened during the previous mandate period, and earlier than that, which created significant problems in the relationship with Turkey, which Finland has not been close to at all. This has meant that there was a need for Sweden to adjust course and line more clearly. Finland has not had that need.