STOCKHOLM, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Sweden has finalized its integration into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and will send a reduced battalion to Latvia early next year, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said on Thursday.

A declaration would be signed Thursday afternoon to finalize Sweden's military integration into NATO, Kristersson said at a joint press conference with Latvian Prime Minister Evika Silina.

He said his government had decided earlier on Thursday to task the Swedish defense forces with preparing for Sweden's contribution of a reduced battalion to the NATO brigade in Latvia.

Sweden will contribute to the Canadian-led brigade 400 to 500 staff as well as CV 90, a tracked armored combat vehicle, and Leopard tanks, Kristersson said, adding that the goal is for the battalion to be operational at the beginning of next year.

Following two centuries of military non-alignment, Sweden and Finland decided to apply for NATO membership in the wake of the Russian special operation in Ukraine in early 2022. Enditem

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