“NATO is the right place for security cooperation in Europe”

Sweden needs a new security system. There are heavyweight EU politicians who believe that Europe also needs a new security system. Among other things, French President Macron, through NATO, wants to place more emphasis on EU cooperation in reducing dependence on the Atlantic Ocean. That is, by the United States and now by the United Kingdom.

As an alternative to the Swedish membership of NATO, we now see discussions involving the Social Democrats pointing to a more recent choice, such as Jens Orbeck (along with Folke Tersman).

I agree with that Sweden’s security cannot be discussed separately from how we view security cooperation in Europe and how it can and should be developed in the future. However, unlike the aforementioned debaters, I believe that Sweden should clearly point out NATO not only today, but also as a place for future security cooperation in Europe. This is where the EU’s general security policy should have an extension of its security policy.

We do not distance ourselves from the United States and the United Kingdom, but we handle threats better together.

For more than a century, the United States and Britain have played a key role in the struggle against dictatorial forces and in the defense of democracy in Europe. This transatlantic cooperation is based on a common set of values ​​and is absolutely essential to the continued defense of liberal democracy.

We could clearly see how tall it was Defense Minister Peter Hultquist (S) and the current Swedish government value defense cooperation with the United States. Finnish President Sauli Niinistö recently pointed out the deep cooperation between Finland, Sweden and the United States as the only real alternative for NATO members.

Orbach / Tersman points to US dominance as a major problem with NATO, especially the dangers of Trump (or someone like him) returning to the presidency. In this regard, it can be said that US domination is largely the result of the commitment and lack of funding of European members. The United States and Europe, including President Joe Biden, are most welcome to accept greater responsibility for its own security and security, and this is being done within the framework of NATO.

But of course, the risks Authoritarian nationalist leaders such as Trump and Erdogan have not been underestimated. On the other hand, there are threats within the EU to the liberal view of democracy based on the agreement. In a couple of weeks, presidential elections will be held in France, where rivals against the liberal presidency come mainly from the nationalist right. We have well-known problems with Hungary and Poland.

The liberal model of democracy, which has driven the most successful development in the West on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, undoubtedly faces strong external and internal threats. Rather than alienating us from the United States and the United Kingdom, we will treat them together in the best possible way. That is why Sweden (and Finland) joined NATO, the security community for free democracy in our part of the world.