Schweden rückt näher an die NATO heran: Verhandlungen über Host Nation Support

Unter dem Eindruck des russischen Verhaltens in der Ukraine-Krise hat die Regierung des neutralen Schweden beschlossen, mit der NATO Verhandlungen über ein Gastlandabkommen, den so genannten Host Nation Support, aufzunehmen. Das stärke die Verteidigungsfähigkeit des Landes, sagte die schwedische Verteidigungsministerin Karin Enström (hier aus der Google-Übersetzung ins Englische, die etwas verständlicher ist als die deutsche):

The Government decided today to give the Armed Forces to begin negotiations with NATO on host country support
It is positive that we develop cooperation with NATO by getting an agreement regulating the host country support. It strengthens our defense capability and enhance our ability to give and receive military aid, says Defence Minister Karin Enstrom.
An agreement on a host country support with NATO can be used across the range of situations from peace, crises of war. The agreement is voluntary between the parties and will be applicable only in cases where NATO conducts operations in Sweden at the invitation of Sweden as the host nation.
The government also decided to sign a protocol regulating the legal status of NATO’s military headquarters with personnel if it becomes necessary, with operations in Sweden. Such regulation is a prerequisite for concluding an agreement on a host country support.

Bereits Ende April hatte Schweden seinen Luftraum für AWACS-Überwachungsflugzeuge der NATO geöffnet.

(Archivbild: Swedish army Pvt. Alexander Graje leads a CV90-40C APC out of a simulated forward deployed location at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif., Sept. 12, 2007, during exercise Bold Quest. The coalition exercise is testing new communication technology that identifies friendly forces and enemy targets – DoD photo by Staff Sgt. Samuel Rogers, U.S. Air Force)