Sweden is a new member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. After more than two years of submissions and long waits, the Nordics once remained neutral, and this week the Hungarian parliament approved 31 NATO memberships. This accident is undoubtedly the largest expansion of Sweden since the 90s of the 20th century, and it is also a huge change in its foreign and security policy. Why did Sweden become a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization? What obstacles and difficulties did Sweden experience in the process of joining the EU? What impact will Sweden's accession have on the overall security situation in NATO, Russia, Europe? This article intends to discuss the above issues from three perspectives.
1. Sweden's face of the Russian threat and the reasons for the changes in Europe.
As a member of the European Union, Sweden's biggest motivation comes from the Russian threat and the changing situation in Europe. The ties between Sweden and Russia are long and complex, and numerous wars have erupted between the two countries in the century in order to establish their hegemony in the Baltic Sea. In the 20th century, Sweden, as a party in World War II, under the threat of the Soviet Union, had close ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during the Cold War. In the 21st century, relations between Sweden and Russia have become strained again due to Russia's involvement in the Ukraine crisis and Russia's military operations in the Baltic Sea.
Sweden said that Russia's move not only violates international law, but also violates peace and stability in the European region, and poses a great challenge to Sweden's rights and interests. Sweden fears that Russia may launch aggression and challenges in Sweden's territory and maritime domain, and that it may start a war against Sweden against its neighbors, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, among the Baltic states.
Sweden agrees with Sweden that the security situation and situation in Europe is changing and calls for an appropriate response. Sweden pointed out that the EU has been slow to integrate and coordinate in defense and security as the United States hesitates and is uncertain about the deployment and investment of European troops. Sweden recognizes that it is no longer relying on its long-standing policy of neutrality, but must engage and cooperate more closely with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in order to strengthen its security and defence capabilities.
To this end, Sweden submitted a formal request to NATO membership in May this year, expressing its desire to be a trustworthy and responsible ally and to its commitment to NATO's values and norms and to actively participating in NATO decisions to ensure peace and security in Europe and the North Atlantic region.
2. Factors hindering Sweden's development: Turkey and Hungary.
Sweden has succeeded in becoming a failed country under the joint boycott of Turkey, Hungary and other countries. Under the provisions of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the admission of new members requires the consensus of all members. Sweden and Finland jointly submitted a request to become the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in May this year, followed by representatives of 30 North Atlantic Treaty Organizations signing the Swedish and Finnish conventions in July of that year, which were subsequently submitted to national parliaments for adoption.
Finland's Accession Agreement will come into force in April next year, when Finland will become a member of the 30 North Atlantic Treaty Organizations. However, Sweden's accession agreement was vetoed by Turkey, Hungary and other countries, bringing Sweden's accession process to a standstill.
Turkey and Hungary raised objections for the following reasons:
Turkey, for its part, sees Sweden's stance and policy towards the PKK as incompatible with Turkey's best interests, and calls on Sweden to amend its legislation and constitution in order to strengthen cooperation with the PKK before becoming a member of NATO, including designating the PKK as a terrorist group, banning PKK's operations in Sweden, repatriating PKK's personnel and leaders, and ending all support and protection for PKK. Hungary, on the other hand, sees Sweden's interference in Hungary's internal affairs and accuses Hungary of violating its sovereignty and dignity, and calls on Sweden to abide by Hungary's democracy and the rule of law, end sanctions and pressure on Hungary, and re-establish a good partnership with Hungary in order to become a member of NATO.
Sweden believes that such a claim is not only inconsistent with its membership nor contrary to Sweden's national sovereignty and values, and is unjustified and unacceptable. Sweden said it meets all the requirements to become a member of NATO and does not need to curry favor with Turkey and Hungary with its own interests and guidelines.