Swedes should be given the opportunity to express their views on a possible their country’s accession to NATO by conducting a referendumargued the head of one opposition left party.
Sweden has remained historically neutral and outside coalitionsbut the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and continuous violations of Swedish airspace by Russian planes push Swedes to seriously consider to join NATO.
THE Nusi Dandgostar, leader of the Left Party (Vänsterpartiet), Speaking on Swedish radio today, he said that a decision as crucial as it requires broad support, which can only be reached if citizens are asked to decide on a referendum.
The armed forces Sweden has strong ties with NATO and often participate in educational high schools. It is now estimated that the country is going to submit formal application for membership in mid-May. THE Finland is in the same situation.
Any decision to expand the alliance must be approved by all 30 NATO member countries.
The Party of the Left opposes NATO membershipin part because of the military alliance has nuclear weapons. It is the first party to propose a referendum on the issue.
According to experts, it is unlikely that there will be time for a referendum, given the time pressure and the fact that the ruling parties most likely want the NATO issue to be settled before the parliamentary elections, which will be held in September.
Stoltenberg: NATO will receive Finland and Sweden with open arms
“The process of Finland and Sweden joining NATO will be done quickly, if they decide to apply for membership in the Alliance”, said today NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenbergduring a joint press conference he gave with President of the European Parliament Roberta Metzola shortly before his meeting with the leaders of the political groups.
“THE Finland and Sweden will decide whether to apply for NATO membership. If they decide, NATO will welcome them with open arms. “said Stoltenberg, noting that the two EU member states are very close NATO partners and has been collaborating with them for many years, both in exercises and training programs, as well as in various missions and companies. “If they apply for membership, they will be welcome and I expect the process to be speedy and for them to join NATO as soon as the formal process is completed,” Stoltenberg said.
Asked on the guarantees that NATO could provide to provide the two countries during the negotiations, Stoltenberg replied that once the two countries receive the invitation to join, a “strong political message” will be sent that the security of the two countries is important to NATO Allies. “I am confident that we will find an agreement for the interim period, between the date of application and the formal ratification of the completion of the accession process by all Parliaments. “There are ways to bridge this gap, in the best possible way for Finland and Sweden,” Stoltenberg said, noting that he had spoken to the Swedish president today.
For her part, the President of the European Parliament stressed the need for military and more effective support to Ukraine and added that the European Parliament would continue to call for further sanctions against Moscow and to strengthen the sanctions that have already been decided for the better and more their effective implementation. “The European Parliament will continue to build on this unprecedented coordination between the EU and NATO,” she said.
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