EXPLAINED: The next five steps to a Swedish Nato membership
Sweden has now overcome the chief hurdle to Nato membership, winning the backing of Turkey. Here's a brief outline of the Nato accession process, with a timeline of how long it could take for Sweden to become members.
Dialogue with Nato and assessment of expressions of interest
After formally deciding to join the alliance, Sweden and Finland will start to discuss the question of membership with Nato more intensely, without Nato confirming that membership requests will be granted.
Discussions could include how the countries' defence forces can contribute to Nato, any special requests from Sweden (such as a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil), and how much Sweden will contribute to Nato's common budget.
Formal invitation to become members and letter of intent
After assessing both countries' expressions of interest in joining the alliance, Nato will offer a formal invitation to become members, once all Nato countries have agreed that Sweden and Finland should be allowed to join.
Sweden will then submit a letter of intent to Nato, along with timetables for completion of any required reforms. The letter will be signed by Swedens' foreign minister Ann Linde, and addressed to Nato's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.
Accession protocol
Nato prepares an accession protocol to the Washington Treaty for Sweden. The protocol amends the Washington Treaty, and once signed and ratified by the Allies, it become an integral part of the Treaty itself and permits the invited countries to become parties to the Treaty.
Ratification of accession protocols
Nato members ratify the accession protocols. The length of this stage is the most unpredictable, with different countries having different processes. The US requires a two-thirds majority of the Senate to ratify a new member, while the UK requires no parliamentary vote at all. All 30 Nato members need to ratify Sweden's accession protocols.
Sweden and Finland are, however, both uncontroversial applicants (unlike say, Ukraine or Georgia), so member states' parliaments are likely to ultimately vote to let them join.
But it one or more of Nato's member states throws up objections (perhaps seeking concessions on other issues), the process could get bogged down.
Turkey have voiced their opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance. Hultqvist said that Sweden was sending a group of civil servants to discuss Turkey’s objections to Swedish Nato membership — something Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said would not prevent Sweden joining the alliance.
Membership granted
The governments of Sweden and Finland submit proposals to their respective parliaments to accept the accession agreement. Sweden and Finland become Nato members.
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Dialogue with Nato and assessment of expressions of interest
After formally deciding to join the alliance, Sweden and Finland will start to discuss the question of membership with Nato more intensely, without Nato confirming that membership requests will be granted.
Discussions could include how the countries' defence forces can contribute to Nato, any special requests from Sweden (such as a ban on nuclear weapons on Swedish soil), and how much Sweden will contribute to Nato's common budget.
Formal invitation to become members and letter of intent
After assessing both countries' expressions of interest in joining the alliance, Nato will offer a formal invitation to become members, once all Nato countries have agreed that Sweden and Finland should be allowed to join.
Sweden will then submit a letter of intent to Nato, along with timetables for completion of any required reforms. The letter will be signed by Swedens' foreign minister Ann Linde, and addressed to Nato's Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.
Accession protocol
Nato prepares an accession protocol to the Washington Treaty for Sweden. The protocol amends the Washington Treaty, and once signed and ratified by the Allies, it become an integral part of the Treaty itself and permits the invited countries to become parties to the Treaty.
Ratification of accession protocols
Nato members ratify the accession protocols. The length of this stage is the most unpredictable, with different countries having different processes. The US requires a two-thirds majority of the Senate to ratify a new member, while the UK requires no parliamentary vote at all. All 30 Nato members need to ratify Sweden's accession protocols.
Sweden and Finland are, however, both uncontroversial applicants (unlike say, Ukraine or Georgia), so member states' parliaments are likely to ultimately vote to let them join.
But it one or more of Nato's member states throws up objections (perhaps seeking concessions on other issues), the process could get bogged down.
Turkey have voiced their opposition to Sweden and Finland joining the alliance. Hultqvist said that Sweden was sending a group of civil servants to discuss Turkey’s objections to Swedish Nato membership — something Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said would not prevent Sweden joining the alliance.
Membership granted
The governments of Sweden and Finland submit proposals to their respective parliaments to accept the accession agreement. Sweden and Finland become Nato members.
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