(VOVWORLD) -Hungarian government spokesman Zoltan Kovacs said on Wednesday that both sides need to work to narrow their differences in order for Hungary to accept Sweden's accession to NATO.
 NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (left) receives an application to join the military alliance from Sweden's ambassador to NATO Axel Wernhoff in Brussels, Belgium, May 18, 2022 . Photo: AFP/VNA
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"In the case of Sweden, there is an ample amount of grievances that need to be addressed before the country’s admission is ratified," Kovacs said on his blog. Swedish politicians "have been repeatedly keen to bash Hungary through diplomatic means, using their political influence to harm Hungarian interests", he said. The official called on Stockholm to change its stance on Budapest.
Finland and Sweden have applied to join NATO since May 2022. Their applications need to be approved by all 30 member countries of NATO. The process of joining NATO of the two countries has been delayed because of objections from Turkey and Hungary.
On Monday the Hungarian Parliament voted to approve Finland's NATO bid, but has not yet decided on the case of Sweden. Since July 2022, the Hungarian Parliament has repeatedly delayed ratifying Sweden's accession to NATO.