Sweden should participates with NATO's special forces in exercises or loose military support

Wednesday, 03 July 2013
The Swedish opposition party, the Social Democrats had been the stumbling bloc to Sweden's involvement with active operations with NATO. It has now agreed that Sweden should participate in NATO advanced rapid reaction forces exercises.
NATO and sweden military
According to Swedish television news reports, Sweden will now for the first time start practicing with NATO's most specialized combat section, Rapid Reaction Force or known as NATO Reaction Forces(NRF).

"What is offered here is a high complexity of exercises - there are advanced exercises in a way that we are not able to perform ourselves in Sweden. In addition, it will put us on the same level when it comes to the relationship with NATO militarily non-aligned Finland," says Defence Committee chairman, Peter Hultqvist to Swedish television news.

In 2008, Finland joined the NATO Response Force, but the Swedish Social Democrats then rejected Sweden's participation.

In January, NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, again urged Sweden to participate in the forces since the mission in Afghanistan is nearing completion.
The Swedish government has always been in favour of a participating but would like to have a cross party agreement with the Social Democrats which is the largest party in the country at this moment.
Now Social Democrats have given the government the green light to sign the agreement so that Sweden can participate in the rapid response excise programs with NATO.

The Swedish armed forces will now start practicing is different combat course with them, the most qualified NATO dressings in Europe and the U.S..

It is expected to lead to the improved development of Swedish defence capability as Sweden would have access to advanced information about the requirements and standards within NATO - a step to closer cooperation.

"We already have a partnership [with NATO] and we work together in different ways," says Peter Hultqvist, adding that this program will add more strength in the Sweden-NATO relationship
By Scancomark.com Team

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