The Daily Populous Sunday December 29th, 2024 night edition
Authored by swedenherald.com and submitted by TemperateStone

A member state can invoke Article 4 of NATO's rules if its own security is deemed threatened. This has only happened seven times before in the history of the defense alliance and primarily involves consultation between member states.

The one incident has triggered the next in the Baltic Sea. These various hybrid activities will not stop, and we cannot have a situation where we react to each incident individually, but rather need to take a comprehensive approach, an overarching strategy from NATO's side, says Peter Hultqvist (S).

The Swedish government should, according to Hultqvist, open up for consultations with the countries around the Baltic Sea and raise the issue in the North Atlantic Council.

Just the fact that we start discussing Article 4 sends a signal that we take this situation very seriously. Those who engage in this type of undermining antagonistic activities should understand that we understand what is happening and are ready to act, he says.

Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard (M) says in a written comment to TT that the government is closely following the development and "rules out nothing".

"With that said, it's also important to keep a cool head", she writes, adding:

"Sweden welcomes yesterday's announcement from NATO's Secretary-General Rutte that NATO will increase its presence in the Baltic Sea."

According to Article 4 of NATO's statutes, "the countries shall consult together whenever any of them considers that its territorial integrity, political independence, or security is threatened".

7Seyo7 on December 28th, 2024 at 19:16 UTC »

NATO article 4:

> The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened.

https://www.nato.int/cps/cz/natohq/official_texts_17120.htm

publicbigguns on December 28th, 2024 at 19:14 UTC »

Article 4 is only to request a military consultation.

teabagmoustache on December 28th, 2024 at 19:06 UTC »

It's damage to vital national infrastructure, by a foreign power.

A few patrol boats around pipelines and cables wouldn't be the worst idea. Even better if it's a NATO response to show we're taking it seriously.