NATO’s expansion

Context: Sweden became NATO’s 32nd Ally upon depositing its instrument of accession to the North Atlantic Treaty with the United States government.

Steps to Accession Process

1. North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members decide to invite a country to become a member of NATO and they officially invite the country to begin accession talks with the NATO.
2. Accession talks place between individual invitees and NATO experts at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
3. Invitees send letters of intent to NATO, along with timetables for completion of reforms.
4. Accession protocols are signed by NATO countries.
5. Accession protocols are ratified by NATO countries. 
6. Once Accession Protocols are ratified the invitee countries become eligible to participate in NATO meetings as non-members.
7. NATO Secretary General invites potential new members.

Is NATO membership open to all?

Ans. NATO membership is open to any other European country which adheres to the principles of NATO and contributes to the security of the North Atlantic area. A NATO decision is the expression of the collective will of all 30 member countries since all decisions are taken by consensus.

Note: Finland became the 31^st member of NATO in April 2023.