Sweden, like Finland, applied for NATO membership in May 2022, three months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which brought about a major deterioration of the security environment in the region. In doing so, Sweden broke its policy of military non-alignment since the end of the 19th century. “Sweden is leaving 200 years of neutrality and military non-alignment behind,” Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told a press conference. “We are joining NATO in order to defend what we are and everything we believe in even better. We are defending our freedom, our democracy and our values, together with others.” However, unlike Finland, Sweden’s road to NATO was bumpier but was finally cleared on 27 February 2024.

Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that “unity and solidarity” would be Sweden’s “guiding lights”. Today on March 11, Sweden’s flag is raised alongside those of the other 31 Allies in a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels, and simultaneously at NATO commands across Europe and North America. “Sweden’s accession demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”, reiterated NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Sweden is and has always been a valuable and committed member of the NDPHS, steadily and strategically chairing the Partnership from 2022 to 2023, during major geopolitical turbulence. Sweden is chairing the NDPHS Antimicrobial Resistance and Primary Healthcare Expert Groups, hosting the NDPHS Secretariat in Stockholm, and actively contributing to the NDPHS and PA Health in the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region project work.

Today, on March 11, 2024, Sweden’s national flag was raised at NATO headquarters, cementing the Nordic country’s place as the 32nd member. Under a steady rain, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, Crown Princess Victoria and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg looked on as two soldiers raised the blue banner emblazoned with a yellow cross among the official circle of national flags at the headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. It is a historic day for Sweden and the NDPHS celebrates it with the Partners.

Photo: Two military personnel prepare to raise the flag of Sweden during a ceremony to mark the accession of Sweden to NATO at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Geert Vanden Wijngaert)