British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson signed a declaration of mutual security guarantees on Wednesday that includes military support, while Sweden finalizes the process to decide whether to apply for NATO membership.
The agreement includes a commitment to help in the event of a crisis or military attack, as well as greater cooperation in areas such as military intelligence, technology, the purchase of weapons or military maneuvers.
“It will depend on what Sweden asks for. But if Sweden is attacked and asks us for support, we will give it to them,” Johnson told a joint news conference in Harpsund, west of Stockholm.
Johnson has described the agreement as a “fundamental stone” in the development of the relationship between the two countries and has stressed that support for Sweden is not linked to the decision that this country makes on the Alliance.
“We feel safer with this declaration, regardless of what decision we make,” said Andersson, who highlighted the UK’s commitment to security in northern Europe.
The United Kingdom has been leading the so-called Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) for more than five years, which includes Sweden, Finland and seven northern European NATO member countries, including Denmark, with which it signed a agreement to strengthen cooperation in defence.
“Tensions in this part of the world have grown in recent years over Russian attacks on Ukraine and their more aggressive rhetoric. If Sweden decides to apply to join NATO, Russia has said it will respond, but it is unclear.” Andersson said.
The British Prime Minister will continue the trip this Wednesday to Helsinki, where he will meet with the Finnish Prime Minister, Sanna Marin, and is expected to sign another similar security agreement, before this country also makes a decision on its possible entry into the NATO.
Both Sweden and Finland have maintained their status as allies for years but not members of the Alliance, although the Russian invasion of Ukraine has caused a change in the position of both, which could culminate in their entry.
The Swedish Social Democratic Party, at the head of a minority government alone, will communicate its position this Sunday, and everything indicates that it will be in favor of joining NATO, against its traditional line and a decision of its national congress adopted last November.
If the change in the Social Democratic position is confirmed, the supporters of admission would be a clear majority in the Swedish Parliament, so the way would be open to send an application.
Swedish media have speculated in recent days that a decision on the Alliance could be ready before the official visit to Stockholm, on May 17 and 18, of the Finnish president, Sauli Niinistö.
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