On March 7, Sweden changed the neutrality it has boasted for the last 200 years. It became the 32nd member of the Atlantic Alliance. About entering the organization, what it has meant for the Nordic country and the threats and challenges that Sweden faces, we spoke with the newly appointed Swedish ambassador to Spain, Per-Arne Hjelmborn, who last week presented his credentials to the King Felipe VI.-This is his second stay in Spain (the first was between 1999 and 2002). How has the return to Madrid been? -I arrived in Spain for the first time 25 years ago as first secretary of the Embassy. I love the country: the culture, the sport… Although many things are similar, Spain and Madrid have evolved a lot. 25 years ago there was a conservative government and in Sweden, a social democratic one. Now it is the opposite, but the cooperation remains the same, even more so. Within the policy of the European Union, we are working to find stability. With Spain, for example, during my time as director of trade policy, we worked a lot in the negotiations with Mercosur. We have a lot in common.Related News standard Yes NATO responds to the threat from Russia with a new headquarters in the Baltic Rosalía Sánchez It is led by a German admiral and assisted by a Polish admiral as deputy. Its objective is to provide the Alliance with a constant report on the current maritime situation in the region. On March 7, Sweden became official as the 32nd member of NATO, thus breaking more than two centuries of neutrality. How was it received by the population? -Although our official entry into the Alliance occurred this year, we have been working with NATO for decades. We have always defended our political tradition and our thinking, which we share with Finland [que también entró a formar parte de la Alianza Atlántica este año]. But the Ukrainian war, although the first was the Crimean war in 2014, being illegal and a brutal entry of Russian troops, changed the opinion of the Swedes very quickly. There has been almost total support from the population. In Finland it was just over 90% and in my country we are close. -What has it meant for Sweden to join NATO? -We have entered with a clear vision: we want to be an important NATO ally. Based on our geographical location, which is vital, we provide very well-trained Armed Forces and a very advanced defense industry. In 2014 it was discussed, but after February 2022 we saw that we were not safe enough outside the NATO umbrella and we needed to enter. -His entry was not as easy as that of his partner Finland… -It took a while because of other people (laughs). [ Turquía y Hungría vetaron la entrada de Suecia en la OTAN durante meses. El Gobierno de Erdogan les acusaba de apoyar a los separatistas rusos, mientras que Orbán les tildó de «gobierno hostil»] -How are relations with Türkiye? -They are good. We were hostages to a Turkish domestic political situation. Sweden has always been in favor of EU enlargement and is committed to Türkiye’s accession if it meets the requirements asked of it. We have many industrial ties, it is a tourist destination, we have a very important colony… But we are already within NATO and it is something we left behind. -The Swedish Minister of Defense stated a week ago that “an attack cannot be ruled out “Russian.” -It is the opinion of our minister and the majority of the defense establishment. It’s not something new. We thought that with the fall of the Wall (November 9 marked 35 years) we could integrate Russia into a more open vision, with democratic values. We made a huge effort. We were one of the countries that invested the most in Russian society and our industry has always been very active, but Russia, by its own decisions, decided to take its own path. -So, you no longer have any ties with Russia? -No. After the invasion everything ended. We have nothing official with Russia. «Sweden, like other countries, has had a problem with integration, not with immigration»-Now the link is stronger between the countries of northern Europe: the great Nordic unity.-Cooperation among the Nordic countries it has existed before accession to NATO, and has now been strengthened. We are a group of five countries (Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland and Sweden) that share values and a geopolitical situation. In this region we have a very strong common enemy. Another threat is China. You were stationed there and know Chinese society. -China should not be interested in the war in Ukraine continuing, because it only creates instability in our region and that also directly affects Beijing. It should do much more to prevent technological products from reaching Russia. We have already told them that they have to comply with the requirements of not participating in such a war. North Korea’s involvement is also worrying. -Are you concerned about the results of the elections in the United States? -The American people have elected their next president and transatlantic cooperation will continue, as always. Sweden, eight years ago, said that it was going to work with the United States, with the president who comes out, and now it is the same. -Trump has been very belligerent with the Alliance, especially with those countries that did not contribute the famous 2%. -It is important for Europe to assume our own responsibility. The defense budget has always been a topic to discuss, not only with Trump, but also with Democratic presidents. Europe has to face that budget. In Sweden we are already at 2.2% and rising. There are other countries that are not doing it. We can do much more and prepare much more for the future. We have to work with whoever is the president of the United States. The transatlantic link is vital.-Another controversial issue has been immigration.-Sweden has been and will continue to be a country that receives immigrants. 20% of our population are descendants of immigrants or were born outside of Sweden. They have been very important for the economy of our society. Sweden, like other countries, has had a problem with integration, not immigration. The flow of immigrants has been enormous and the ability to absorb housing or services has been a bit problematic. It is normal that there are discrepancies on how we can best integrate them. Immigration is necessary, but we have to see how we do it with integration.
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