Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson holds a news conference in Stockholm after a meeting at the ruling Social Democrats’ headquarters about the party’s decision on Nato membership. Photo: TT News Agency via Reuters
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson holds a news conference in Stockholm after a meeting at the ruling Social Democrats’ headquarters about the party’s decision on Nato membership. Photo: TT News Agency via Reuters
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson holds a news conference in Stockholm after a meeting at the ruling Social Democrats’ headquarters about the party’s decision on Nato membership. Photo: TT News Agency via Reuters
Sweden’s Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson holds a news conference in Stockholm after a meeting at the ruling Social Democrats’ headquarters about the party’s decision on Nato membership. Photo: TT N

Swedish PM says ‘best thing’ for her country’s security is to join Nato


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Sweden’s security needs are best served by Nato membership, Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson said on Sunday.

She spoke after her party abandoned decades of opposition to joining the US-led alliance in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“The best thing for the security of Sweden and the Swedish people is to join Nato,” Ms Andersson said at a news conference.

“We believe Sweden needs the formal security guarantees that come with membership in Nato.”

Finland also will apply for Nato membership, the country’s president and government announced in a statement on Sunday.

Finland, which shares a 1,340-kilometre border with Russia, has been inching towards applying to join the alliance since Moscow ordered an invasion of Ukraine in February.

Sweden’s ruling Social Democrats announced their official policy change, which would pave the way for their country to apply within days.

“Today the Swedish Social Democratic Party took a historic decision to say yes to apply for a membership in the Nato defence alliance,” Sweden’s Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Twitter.

“The Russian invasion of Ukraine has deteriorated the security situation for Sweden and Europe as a whole.”

The biog

Place of birth: Kalba

Family: Mother of eight children and has 10 grandchildren

Favourite traditional dish: Al Harees, a slow cooked porridge-like dish made from boiled cracked or coarsely ground wheat mixed with meat or chicken

Favourite book: My early life by Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah

Favourite quote: By Sheikh Zayed, the UAE's Founding Father, “Those who have no past will have no present or future.”

Federer's 19 grand slam titles

Australian Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Marat Safin; 2006 bt Marcos Baghdatis; 2007 bt Fernando Gonzalez; 2010 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Rafael Nadal

French Open (1 title) - 2009 bt Robin Soderling

Wimbledon (8 titles) - 2003 bt Mark Philippoussis; 2004 bt Andy Roddick; 2005 bt Andy Roddick; 2006 bt Rafael Nadal; 2007 bt Rafael Nadal; 2009 bt Andy Roddick; 2012 bt Andy Murray; 2017 bt Marin Cilic

US Open (5 titles) - 2004 bt Lleyton Hewitt; 2005 bt Andre Agassi; 2006 bt Andy Roddick; 2007 bt Novak Djokovic; 2008 bt Andy Murray

Updated: May 15, 2022, 11:39 PM`