Diplomatic sources to the Norwegian newspaper VG state that the time between a formal application and a formal invitation from NATO may be as short as two weeks.

According to the sources, Jens Stoltenberg's staff in Brussels will, in cooperation with the member countries of the NATO Council, work to shrink the time window as much as possible.

VG writes that it is expected that at least one formal negotiation meeting with each candidate country is required to nail down the details of the membership.

Støre: Good insurance

The governments of all 30 NATO countries must give the green light to send an invitation to a country that wants to join NATO.

When the formal invitation is ready, membership must also be approved by the parliaments of all 30 NATO countries, as well as in Sweden and Finland.

According to VG, it can take many months and it is only when the parliaments of all countries have given the green light that Sweden and Finland formally become members and NATO's security guarantee begins to apply in full. 

- But if NATO's 30 member countries of the NATO Council welcome them, and the larger countries have done so with weight, then it is a good insurance until a membership, says Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre to VG.

The Norwegian government has already backed an invitation to Sweden and Finland. 

- As I have said in the Storting: If Sweden and Finland apply for membership, then we say Norway clearly that they are welcome in NATO.

And we will do everything to ensure that it is a fast process that is safe for the two countries and for NATO, says Støre.

"Working for maximum freedom of action"

To VG's question about the information that the process can take two weeks, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson (S) answered on Wednesday: 

- We work for Sweden to have maximum freedom of action, and then this period from the time you apply until you are invited, and then the ratification process, is an issue you have to go deep into. 

At the end of June, NATO Heads of State and Government will hold a summit in the Spanish capital, Madrid.

Should the formal invitation from NATO then be ready, Magdalena Andersson and the President of Finland Sauli Niinistö will receive an invitation.

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Photo: TT / SVT