Today the JALLC raised the Swedish flag as part of a NATO-wide ceremony to mark Sweden’s accession to the Alliance and welcome the 32nd member of NATO. The JALLC’s Commander, Commodore Fernando Artilheiro, was joined by Her Excellency, Elisabeth Eklund, the Ambassador of Sweden to Portugal, during the flag raising which took place earlier this morning, in the JALLC’s lobby.
Sweden’s flag was raised alongside those of the other 31 Allies in a ceremony at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Monday (11 March 2024), and simultaneously at NATO commands across Europe and North America, including at the JALLC.
The JALLC’s Commander expressed his welcome to Sweden to the Alliance. Addressing Her Excellency he said, “I would like to express a whole-hearted and warm welcome to your nation into the ranks of the allies. Sweden has been a committed partner of NATO for almost 30 years, becoming a partner for peace in 1994. Now, in 2024, we welcome Sweden as a NATO full member.”
Her Excellency, Ambassador Eklund , noted: “It is with pride and commitment that Sweden enters the Alliance. We are dedicated to making Sweden and NATO Stronger Together. We are NATO.”
Last Friday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “This is a historic day. Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions. After over 200 years of non-alignment, Sweden now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of Allies’ freedom and security. Sweden brings with it capable armed forces and a first-class defence industry. Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole Alliance more secure.
Today’s accession demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”
You can find out more about the long-standing relationship between NATO and Sweden here.