STOCKHOLM: Sweden’s
parliament on Wednesday ratified a deal granting
Nato more access to the neutral **rdic country for training exercises and in the event of a war in the region, a step reflecting heightened
tensions with Russia.
Sweden is outside the US-led
Nato but has moved closer to the alliance in recent years, cooperating with
Nato states like Denmark, **rway and Iceland and participating in operations in Afghanistan.
The centre-left mi**rity government won the parliamentary vote by a margin of 291-21.
"This deal will **t change our relationship with
Nato **r our security policy. We will remain **n-aligned," Defence Minister Peter Hultqvist told parliament.
"There will be **
Nato troops on
Swedish soil without an invitation."
Sweden’s closeness to
Nato has already angered Moscow.
In April, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told daily Dagens Nyheter that
Russia would take unspecified action if Sweden joined Nato.
The Ukraine and Crimea crises have wrought increased tension between
Russia and the West and within the Baltic Sea region.
Sweden has accused Russian warplanes of carrying out simulated bombing runs near its border and its security agency has warned of Russian spies active in the country.
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