Johnson in Sweden to discuss “broader security issues”
Johnson in Sweden to discuss “broader security issues”
Stockholm, May 11 (UNI) The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson arrived in Sweden, and is also scheduled to visit Finland, to discuss the Nordic countries’ ambitions to apply for membership in NATO, international media reported on Wednesday. Johnson is scheduled to meet with leaders from both countries during his 24-hour trip, where he will also discuss Europe’s response to the war in Ukraine. Downing Street said the visit was about “Europe’s security broader” and added that “We understand the positions of Sweden and Finland and that is why the Prime Minister will discuss these broader security issues.” Since the invasion of Ukraine, support for joining the NATO alliance has increased in both Sweden and Finland – despite their long history of military neutrality. Finland adopted neutrality after its forces were defeated by the Soviet Union during World War II, and if Sweden decides to join NATO, it would end more than 200 years of freedom of alliance for the country, reports the BBC. Earlier, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said that the alliance would welcome both countries with “open arms” and that there would be minimal delays in the processing of their membership. UNI MYK SY 1650