Sweden's disputed military agreement with the USA has been approved by the Riksdag after a long debate.
There is a common interest in getting the agreement in place as quickly as possible, says Defence Minister Pål Jonson (The Moderate Party).
The defence cooperation agreement with the USA, also known as the DCA agreement, gives the American military the right to use 17 Swedish military bases and training areas across the country.
This will provide better conditions for Sweden to receive support from the USA in the event of a crisis or war, says Pål Jonson.
The agreement was approved on Tuesday evening after several hours of debate in the Riksdag. The vote was 266 in favour and 37 against.
With the agreement, the starting distance for American soldiers will be significantly shorter, as weapons, ammunition, supplies, and fuel can already be stored in warehouses in Sweden.
Within a month
Exactly when the USA can start deploying personnel and equipment on Swedish bases is unclear. Pål Jonson expects Sweden to implement the agreement within a month and then send a note to the USA.
Around August, we said we could exchange a note, and then the work could move forward, he says.
Are the Americans eager to get started?
The American and Swedish defence forces have had good discussions about implementing the agreement, and there is a common interest in getting the agreement in place as quickly as possible.
Pål Jonson does not think it is likely that American forces will be stationed at all 17 locations simultaneously.
The fact that we have 17 different areas in the agreement is to have flexibility in the event of a deteriorating world situation. I don't see all of them being occupied, and certainly not at the same time. The USA also has resource limitations.
Criticism of nuclear weapons
Support for the agreement is broad in the Riksdag, with six out of eight parties in favour.
But the Green Party and the Left Party oppose it. Mainly, it's about the lack of clear provisions on nuclear weapons in the agreement.
Sweden is the only country in the Nordic region that lacks contractual clauses that provide protection against nuclear weapons, says Håkan Svenneling (V).
Military experts do not believe the USA wants to have nuclear weapons in Sweden. But Svenneling argues that it could change, for example, if a new president comes to power.
Agreements are not just written for sunny days, but should also be written for rainy days, cloudy days, and even stormy days, he says.
Pål Jonson does not think the concern is grounded in reality.
It is very clear that Sweden is a sovereign state, and there is no other country that can force Sweden to have nuclear weapons on Swedish territory.
The Social Democrats believe the agreement is necessary in these times.
It is a deterrent in practice, says Peter Hultqvist (S).
Sweden entered into the defence cooperation agreement with the USA at the beginning of December.
The agreement is abbreviated to DCA, Defence Cooperation Agreement.
It gives the USA's military the right to use a total of 17 Swedish military bases, facilities, and training areas across the country.
The locations are scattered from Kiruna, Boden, and Luleå in the north, to Ronneby and Revingehed in the south.
There, the USA will have the right to deploy military personnel and equipment, and conduct exercises.
The government proposes that the legislative changes should come into force "on the day the government decides".
The USA has concluded similar agreements with several other countries, including Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states, and Poland.
