TOKYO (AP) — Sweden‘s defense minister said Tuesday his country’s prime precedence is to realize full NATO membership earlier than the allied leaders collect for his or her subsequent summit, saying an addition will make the trans-Atlantic alliance even stronger.

NATO desires to carry Sweden into the fold by the point United States President Joe Biden and different allied leaders meet July 11-12 in Vilnius, Lithuania, however Turkey and Hungary have but to endorse the transfer. All 31 member international locations should ratify a candidate’s accession protocol for it to affix the alliance.

“The Swedish government’s highest priority is to become a full-fledged member of NATO as soon as possible,” stated Swedish Defense Minister Pål Jonson, in Japan for talks along with his Japanese counterpart and different officers. “We’re hopeful that we can become it by the Vilnius Summit.”

Turkey’s authorities has criticized Sweden for being too lenient on terror organizations and safety threats, whereas Hungary has not given particulars. Jonson stated he respects the selections of Turkey and Hungary, and that Sweden has new anti-terrorism laws that may “close up any remaining loopholes there” to handle Turkey’s concern.

“We think the whole northern flag of NATO would be strengthened by Sweden being a full-fledged member into NATO,” Jonson stated.

He stated Sweden will proceed supporting Ukraine with weapons, which is “strongly into our national interest, because if Russia would win the war in Ukraine, it would have disastrous consequences for Sweden and Europe’s security policy, its geostrategic location and military situation in Europe.”

“So supporting Ukraine is key for us, and we will continue doing that, as long as it takes,” Jonson stated.

He stated Sweden becoming a member of of NATO can even deepen the nation’s ties with the United States and its ally Japan, as his nation is at present negotiating a protection cooperation settlement with Washington.

Jonson stated Sweden and Japan have comparable challenges today, since Russia’s battle on Ukraine has introduced the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific collectively. Japan and Sweden signed an settlement in December on protection know-how and tools switch to deepen arms tools cooperation.

Jonson and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada are set to carry talks Wednesday to debate additional strengthening of their army ties.

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