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Source: https:\/\/apnews.com\/article\/sweden-nato-policy-of-neutrality-nonaligment-74ae8d15b2e27f9467634d7cde414625<\/a><\/p>\n STOCKHOLM (AP) \u2014 Sweden\u2019s last war ended in 1814, and when the rifles and cannons it aimed at Norway fell silent,\u00a0<\/span>the once-warring power<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>would not take up arms again.<\/p>\n For the next two centuries, Sweden embraced a policy of neutrality, refusing to take sides in wars or join any military alliance. It was a stance that kept peace at home and contributed to the country becoming a prosperous welfare state and humanitarian superpower.<\/p>\n This remarkably long era of nonalignment is coming to a close\u00a0<\/span>as Sweden joins NATO<\/a><\/span>. The ceremonial formalities are expected soon, after\u00a0<\/span>18 months of delays<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>while Turkey and Hungary held up ratification and sought concessions from other members of the alliance.<\/p>\n \u201cSweden is now leaving 200 years of neutrality and nonalignment behind us,\u201d Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said after\u00a0<\/span>Hungary\u2019s Parliament gave its approval<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span>Monday, overcoming the final hurdle. \u201cIt is a big step. We must take that seriously. But it is also a very natural step that we are taking.\u201d<\/p>\n