Traditionally both countries favour neutrality but the shift comes after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement, Sweden's Social Democrats said they would "work toward" membership, something supported by the public and most opposition parties. A formal application is likely within days.
"For us Social Democrats, it is clear that the military non-alignment has served Sweden well, but our conclusion is that it won't serve us as well in the future," she added. He spoke to Russia's President Vladmir Putin about the decision, saying he wanted to "say it straight".Russia's president had previously told Finland it would be a "mistake" to join Nato, which was founded in 1949 to counter the threat from the Soviet Union.
Meanwhile public support for formally joining Nato has grown steadily since Russia invaded Ukraine. Most opposition parties are in favour, with just months to go until Sweden's next general election. Foreign ministers of Nato countries, who are meeting in Berlin, have pledged to provide security guarantees for both Finland and Sweden while their bids to join Nato are being ratified by all member states - a process that can take up to a year.
Turkey, a Nato member state, accuses both Nordic countries of having given support to the Kurdistan Workers Party , which has been waging an armed struggle against the Turkish government for decades.
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