Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said on February 17 that the Hungarian parliament could ratify Sweden's NATO membership when it convenes for a new spring session later this month.
Orbán announced good news for Sweden
The Hungarian parliament is going to approve Sweden's application to join NATO in the near future.
This is reported by Reuters .
It is good news that our dispute with Sweden will soon be settled. We are moving in the direction that we will be able to ratify Sweden's accession to NATO at the beginning of the spring session of the parliament.
Viktor Orban
Prime Minister of Hungary
Parliament is expected to convene on February 26.
The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that he and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson took steps "to restore trust" between the two countries. However, he did not specify what these steps were.
The publication explained that Hungary remains the only NATO country that has not yet ratified Sweden's application, as this process requires the support of all Alliance members. The delay has soured relations with the US and raised concerns among US allies.
Orbán's ruling party, Fidesz, cited groundless accusations against Sweden that it undermines democracy in Hungary as the reason for the delay in ratifying Sweden's application to join NATO.
Orbán has repeatedly said his government supports Sweden joining NATO, but relevant legislation has been stuck in the Hungarian parliament since mid-2022.
Sweden's entry into NATO: what is known
On May 18, 2022, after the Russian Federation's large-scale attack on Ukraine, Sweden and Finland jointly applied to join NATO.
On April 4, 2022, Finland became the 31st member of NATO. On the other hand, Sweden received comments from Turkey and Hungary.
On October 23, 2023, Turkish President Erdoğan submitted a protocol on Sweden's accession to NATO to the parliament for consideration. On January 23, the Turkish parliament voted to ratify Sweden's application for NATO membership.
On January 25, Joe Biden sent a letter to the leaders of key congressional committees announcing his intention to begin formal procedures for the sale of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey once it completes the process of Sweden joining NATO.
On January 25, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed the decision of the Turkish Parliament ratifying the protocol on Sweden's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance. Therefore, Hungary remained the only state that still did not approve the accession of Sweden.
Prime Minister of Hungary Viktor Orbán invited the Prime Minister of Sweden to Budapest to discuss Sweden's application for NATO membership.
The US ambassador to Hungary stated that the United States is unhappy that the ratification of Sweden's accession to NATO is taking so long. He also noted that the US does not know what is the reason for the delay on the part of the Hungarian government. The coordinator of the National Security Council of the White House, John Kirby, said the same thing.
