Orbán urges the Hungarian Parliament to ratify Sweden's NATO accession: influenced by a phone call

On Wednesday, January 24, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged his country's parliament to ratify Sweden's application to join NATO. He issued this call immediately after a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Viktor Orban reported this development on the social network X. He mentioned confirming to Stoltenberg that the Hungarian government supports Sweden's NATO membership.

"I have just finished a telephone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. I confirmed that the Hungarian government supports Sweden's membership in NATO. I also emphasized that we will continue to urge the Hungarian National Assembly to vote in favor of Sweden's accession and to finalize ratification at the earliest possible date," wrote Orban.

As known, Hungary remains the only country that has not yet ratified Sweden's NATO membership.

The day before, on January 23, the Turkish parliament approved Sweden's application to join the Alliance.

On the same day, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban hinted at progress by inviting Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to visit the country for talks on the issue.

Sweden applied to join NATO in May 2022, simultaneously with Finland, marking a historic shift in its security policy following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February earlier that year.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on July 31, 2023, the Hungarian parliament failed to vote for the ratification of Sweden's NATO accession. The vote was disrupted by Prime Minister Viktor Orban's Hungarian Civic Union party.

Later, Orban himself stated that "nothing threatens Sweden's security," and therefore Hungary is "in no hurry" to ratify its accession to NATO.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!