Swedish membership in NATO would have a stabilizing effect and would benefit countries around the Baltic Sea, Foreign Minister Ann Linde said on Friday, the day after neighbor Finland committed to applying to join the 30-nation alliance.

“Swedish NATO membership would raise the threshold for military conflicts and thus have a conflict-preventing effect in northern Europe,” Linde told reporters when presenting a parliament report on security.

Sweden is widely expected to follow Finland’s lead and Stockholm could apply for NATO membership as early as Monday.

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