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Finland and Sweden to strengthen ties with Nato
www.theguardian.com ^ | 08/27/2014 | Associated Press in Helsinki/The Guardian

Posted on 09/02/2014 4:27:46 PM PDT by WesternCulture

Finland and Sweden plan to work more closely with Nato by signing a pact that allows assistance from alliance troops in the Nordic countries in emergency situations, officials said on Wednesday. The move comes as Nato prepares for a summit next week in Wales amid heightened tensions with Russia over the crisis in Ukraine. Finland shares a 1,300km (800-mile) border with Russia. The Finnish government said the host nation support agreement applies to situations which include "disasters, disruptions and threats to security". It also enables joint training exercises and military cooperation. Finnish defence ministry senior adviser Mika Varvikko said Finland intended to sign the agreement at next week's summit. Sweden is also expected to do so. Both countries, which already train and work closely with Nato in international operations, insisted the agreement did not mean they were moving closer to joining the alliance. "There is a very sharp difference between being a member and not being a member," the Swedish defence minister, Karin Enström, told the Associated Press. "We are an active partner with Nato and we want to deepen our partnership with Nato." Opinion polls in Finland and Sweden show majority opposition to Nato membership. Both countries were officially neutral during the cold war. On Tuesday the Guardian reported that Nato is to deploy its forces at new bases in countries bordering Russia, a move certain to trigger a strong reaction from Moscow.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: finland; nato; sweden; walessummit

1 posted on 09/02/2014 4:27:46 PM PDT by WesternCulture
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To: WesternCulture

Until these countries in NATO and ME that our “leaders” claim we have a mission to protect, begin to actually subsidize the USA taxpayers with their affluence.....I have no interest in protecting them. The USA needs to protect itself and our borders.


2 posted on 09/02/2014 4:31:28 PM PDT by apoliticalone
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To: WesternCulture

Major defeat for Russia.


3 posted on 09/02/2014 4:31:39 PM PDT by DManA
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To: WesternCulture

They hedged their bets during the Cold War afraid they might end up on the losing side. But they are afraid now and want more assistance if something threatens them.


4 posted on 09/02/2014 4:35:27 PM PDT by johniegrad
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To: WesternCulture

It’s been in the works for a long time.


5 posted on 09/02/2014 4:56:21 PM PDT by familyop (We Baby Boomers are croaking in an avalanche of corruption smelled around the planet.)
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To: WesternCulture

Isn’t Sweden part of the Caliphate?


6 posted on 09/02/2014 5:02:38 PM PDT by Pharmboy (Democrats lie because they must.)
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To: Pharmboy

Not yet, but they are moving in that direction.


7 posted on 09/02/2014 5:41:16 PM PDT by MSF BU (Support the troops: Join Them.)
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To: WesternCulture

Too funny. Putin’s doing so well to secure Russia’s borders. - LOL!!!

Moving closer to China will bite him in the ass too.

What a dumbass.


8 posted on 09/02/2014 7:57:49 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici
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To: Pharmboy; MSF BU

Sweden definitely suffers from a Muslim threat - in resemblance with America:

http://endoftheamericandream.com/archives/the-fastest-growing-religion-in-america-is-islam

However, in Sweden, Christians account for a higher percentage of the population than in America.

Furthermore, most of the Middle East immigrants that lately have come to Sweden are Christians and most of the ones who are predicted to come as well (as a lot of Christians presently are fleeing Iraq and Syria).


9 posted on 09/03/2014 1:50:40 AM PDT by WesternCulture
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To: WesternCulture

Malmo is third largest Swedish city. Things have not been going well, there.


10 posted on 09/03/2014 2:32:57 AM PDT by Pharmboy (Democrats lie because they must.)
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To: Pharmboy
“Malmo is third largest Swedish city. Things have not been going well, there.”

- Couldn't agree more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to say America has a problem and we don't.

Patriotic greetings from Sweden,

WesternCulture

11 posted on 09/03/2014 4:26:38 AM PDT by WesternCulture
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To: WesternCulture

Are they Christians or simply claiming to be that. Swedes may be culturally Christian but only in a very loosely understood way.


12 posted on 09/03/2014 4:54:24 AM PDT by MSF BU (Support the troops: Join Them.)
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To: MSF BU
Evidently, most Christian refugees who have gained residency in Sweden are not Christians just claiming to be Christians, as several very well attended Churches recently have been build by people stemming from the Middle East on Swedish soil. Most, if not all, are Assyrian churches.
It's just as easy gaining residency in Sweden if you claim to be a Muslim being persecuted by other Muslims and most them who come here probably know that. They don't have to lie about their confession.
Speaking of ethnic Swedes like myself, yes, many of us of are very secularized. But I think that is beginning to change. Swedes who are strongly opposed to Muslim influence are beginning to define themselves as ‘Christians’ more and more often. Still, church attendance among those belonging to the largest church, the (Lutheran) Church of Sweden remains a joke. 70% of the population do so but go to church only when there is a wedding, funeral etc. People belonging to smaller churches (called ‘Free churches’ because the Church of Sweden used to be the state church) are much more like Christians in the US. There are strongholds in Sweden where these churches are especially active. Two such strongholds are Örebro and Jönköping which also are two of the largest cities (the former is the 7th largest and the latter is the 10th largest). True American Christians would probably like it there!
13 posted on 09/03/2014 12:03:14 PM PDT by WesternCulture
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