It comes together to decide whether Sweden should apply for membership in NATO or not.

On 13 May, the parliamentary parties' security policy analysis of a membership will be completed, and in the coming days the Social Democrats will also make a decision.

One of the questions has been what type of protection Sweden can count on in the time from applying for membership in NATO until a possible membership is ready.

According to Minister of Defense Peter Hultqvist (S), Sweden can count on receiving protection.

"Important with insurance"

Among other things, this would involve an increased presence of NATO forces in the vicinity of Sweden and Finland.

The Ministry of Defense is careful not to call it a security guarantee, but instead talks about security insurance and commitments from NATO countries to help when needed.

- If we are to join NATO, it is very important that there is some form of assurance from countries within NATO that they are prepared to defend Sweden and Finland.

The practical expression can be the presence of air combat forces in the area, it can be the presence of naval units, it can be troops that participate in various exercises, says Peter Hultqvist (S) to SVT.

This would include more military exercises and naval visits from NATO countries, but also more visits by high-level ministers.

Not a clear guarantee, but still a presence of NATO forces that would help if needed.

Do you see visits and training activities as a form of security guarantee?

-

I see it as part of a shared responsibility.

It is clear that if we get into a situation where we apply for NATO membership, then insurance is needed and then you should see this type of event and activity in that perspective, says Peter Hultqvist.

Expect higher military presence

He takes as an example the American missile fighter USS Forrest Sherman who visited Stockholm in March, and the ships from several NATO countries that visited Stockholm this weekend.

Can we expect a higher presence from NATO countries?

- It is what we expect in such a situation, that we get a higher military presence from countries we normally cooperate with and from the NATO side, says Peter Hultqvist.

However, he does not want to say whether this means that he also expects Sweden to apply for NATO membership.

- As for the decision itself, I will tell you how we and we look at it once the decision has been made, what security policy choice we make.

Five questions about Swedish NATO membership

  • Is there any country that does not want Sweden to join?

    29 sec

  • What happens if Finland joins but not Sweden?

    37 sec

  • What do NATO gain from Sweden and Finland becoming members?

    35 sec

  • Which country is most important to NATO?

    15 sec

  • Are there only benefits to more members?

    31 sec