The Swedish flag was solemnly raised in front of the NATO headquarters

The Swedish flag was solemnly raised in front of the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday. The country officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization on March 7.

The ceremony was attended by an extended Swedish delegation: in addition to Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and members of the government, there were also leaders of six political parties, as well as Princess Victoria of Sweden.

Opening the ceremony, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called today a historic day. “Now is a critical time for common security,” he said. By accepting Sweden into our ranks, we are showing that NATO’s doors are open. Each nation can choose its own path. Our path is democracy and security. The brave people of Ukraine are now fighting for precisely these values.” .

In his speech, Prime Minister Christensen said that Sweden “has come home, to a common home.” He emphasized that the country joined the Partnership for Peace initiative back in 1994 and cooperated with NATO in all major exercises and events, and in the last two years was actively preparing to join the alliance. “Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine united the Swedes in the belief that full membership in NATO is the only reasonable choice.”

Christensen reported that Sweden is doubling its military budget, and since January 1 it meets NATO standards, making up 2% of the country’s GDP. It also increases the number of military personnel and increases the partnership of the army with the civilian sphere.

• Sweden, along with Finland, submitted an application to join the North Atlantic Union shortly after the beginning of the full-scale invasion of the Russian army into Ukraine at the end of February 2022. Before that, the country adhered to the principle of neutrality and avoided military alliances for more than 200 years.