Sweden will apply for NATO membership

(ANSA) - STOCKHOLM, MAY 16 - Sweden will officially ask for membership of NATO.

This was announced by Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, speaking of a new "era" for the Scandinavian country.

   "The government has decided to inform NATO of Sweden's desire to become a member of the Alliance," she said in a press conference.

"We are leaving an era and entering a new one," said the Swedish leader.

    Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvis will be in the US on Wednesday to meet with Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin.

This was announced by the Stockholm government, specifying that at the center of the talks in Washington there will be "Sweden's request for NATO membership, Russia's aggression against Ukraine, the security situation in Europe and bilateral relations".

Hultqvist will also meet a delegation from the US Congress.

(HANDLE).