Hungary can soon ratify Sweden's NATO bid, PM Orban says
(VOVWORLD) - The Hungarian parliament can ratify Sweden's NATO membership when it convenes for its new spring session later this month, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told his supporters on Saturday.
 Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivers his annual State of the Nation speech, in Budapest, Hungary, February 17, 2024. (Photo: Reuters) |
"It's good news that our dispute with Sweden will soon be settled," Orban said in a key speech, adding that Hungary can ratify Sweden's accession to NATO at the start of its parliament's spring session. Parliament reconvenes on February 26.
Sweden applied to join NATO nearly two years ago in a historic shift in policy prompted by Russia's special military operation in Ukraine. Orban said he and Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson had taken steps "to rebuild trust" between their two countries.
Hungary is the only NATO country not yet to have ratified Sweden's application, a process that requires the backing of all NATO members.